Based on a True Story

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (v16).

“Based on a true story.” How many times have you watched a movie that started with some sort of claim that it was “inspired by actual events”? The problem is that Hollywood tends to play fast and loose with the facts. By the time the story hits the screen at a theater near you, the motion picture has little in common with the story that inspired it. Pete reassures us that he and the boys haven’t jacked around with history. This is based on a true story. They aren’t making this stuff up. 

And why would they? The story of Jesus is already tough to swallow. God becomes a man when He’s born to a teenage girl and a blue-collar carpenter in a backwater village in first century Palestine. He grows up to claim He’s the long-promised Messiah through some of most radical teaching the world has ever heard. And if that’s not enough, Jesus performs one miracle after another. Healing the sick. Feeding the hungry. Raising the dead. He saves His best for last when He Himself walks out of the graveyard after being dead for three days. There’s no reason to sweeten this story. It’s crazy enough already!

Right out of the chute, Pete lets us know that they haven’t fallen for “cleverly devised myths” (v16). He uses a Greek word here (sophizo) that means to invent, skillfully craft or cunningly create. Nobody has manufactured the story of Jesus. No PR firm has put their creative spin on who He is and what He’s done. Pete’s not part of some elaborate conspiracy to dupe the public into following this dude he calls the Christ. What he and the other apostles have been telling the world are not “myths.” The Greek term muthos describes a fable, a legend or some manufactured narrative invented to explain something unknown. As a matter of fact, Pete’s buddy Paul made it clear that if we believe in Jesus, we’re supposed to steer clear of “irreverent, silly myths (Gr. muthos)” (1Tim 4:7).

This is incredibly important considering the context. The apostle is writing this letter for the expressed purpose of shutting up and shutting down a team of false teachers who’ve infiltrated the churches in northeast Asia Minor (2Pet 2:1). Pete knew the false teachers would try to discredit his letter. They would accuse him of making all this stuff up. Can I be blunt? Thank you. Jesus isn’t Santa Claus. He’s not the Easter Bunny. He’s not the Tooth Fairy. Jesus Christ is a real, historical figure. Historians like Josephus who didn’t think He was Messiah wrote about Him. There’s no question about the existence of this radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth. And if Pete and the boys were spinning tales about Christ, wouldn’t they make themselves look a little better? If I’m Peter, I’m leaving out all that stuff about Jesus calling me Satan. There’s no way I’m including the whole denying my Savior three times at His darkest hour. That’s because Pete’s story isn’t about Pete. It’s all about Jesus. He’s the Hero of the story. As a matter of fact, He’s the Hero of the entire Bible!! This is based on a true story. Peter’s not making this stuff up.

At this point, Pete narrows the “we” down from the Twelve to Jesus’ inner circle of James, John and himself. When you check out the following two verses, you see that he’s talking about the Transfiguration (Mt 17:1-8; Mk 9:2-8; Lk 9:28-36). Peter, James and John were there for Jesus’ miraculous mountaintop meet up with Moses and Elijah. Talk about a summit meeting! When they talk about what happened on the mountain, they talk of “the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v16). Because of the grammar in the original Greek, we probably should translate this as “the powerful coming” or “the coming in power.” Could he talking about Jesus’ second coming? Pete talked about it in his prequel (1Pet 1:3-7, 13; 4:13). Not this time. Check out Jesus’ own words about His Transfiguration in Mark’s Gospel. “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power” (Mk 9:1). A lot of folks have huge problems with this verse in Mark because all of Jesus’ crew died before He returned. But what if He was talking about the amazing sneak preview on the mountaintop with Moses and Elijah? Don’t forget that Mark’s Gospel is almost certainly Peter’s version of Jesus’ life told through Barnabas’ cousin. In other words, Pete’s talking specifically here about what he and the Sons of Thunder saw with their own eyes that day. This is based on a true story. He’s not making this stuff up.

While they are there on the mountain, God pulls back the curtain to give the boys a sneak preview of Christ’s divine glory. Pete says they saw it all with their own eyes. “We were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (v16). So what exactly went down that day? According to Mark, Jesus “led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could ever bleach them” (Mk 9:2-3). Sure sounds like they “were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” But that’s not all. Then Moses and Elijah show up in their own dazzling duds to talk to Jesus (Lk 9:30-31). What was the subject of the discussion? “His departure” (Lk 9:31). His death on a cross. His exodos. The very same Greek word Pete uses when talking about his own impending death back in verse 15. If that’s not wild enough, then Father God makes His own appearance in a thick cloud that covers the summit. “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him” (Mk 9:7). Jesus’ Dad gives His Son the greatest “that’s my boy” the universe has ever heard! When the smoke clears and they open their eyes, “they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only” (Mk 9:8). Let’s review. Sparkling appearance. Moses and Elijah. The voice of God. All three of these to confirm that the Rabbi/Carpenter from Galilee is indeed the one and only Son of God. Messiah. The God Man. This is based on a true story. Pete’s not making this stuff up.

So why is this such a big deal? A lot of folks get hung up on the crazy stories in the Old Testament. Talking snakes. Worldwide floods. Fire from the sky. I gotta admit, some of it has hard to wrap your head around. But Pete points us back to Christ. He wants us to know what he saw and what he heard firsthand. Jesus claimed to divine. He said He was the Hero whom God had promised to send. He taught like no one else. He performed mind-blowing miracles. He predicted His death. He predicted His resurrection. And it happened just as He said it would. Peter and Jesus’ other followers were so blown away by what they had seen that they traveled the world telling everyone about Him. They were willing to risk their lives for what they saw and heard. That doesn’t happen over “cleverly devised myths.” I don’t know about you, but I’m not putting my life on the line over a fairy tale. 

This is based on a true story. Pete’s not making this stuff up.

Leaving a Legacy

“And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able to at any time to recall these things” (v15).

It’s not how you start but how you finish. You can come out of the chute like a lightning bolt but if you don’t end well nobody cares. There’s an old saying in college football that goes, “They only remember what you do in November.” The Apostle Peter is finishing with a flourish. In the marathon of life, he can see the end of the race ahead and he’s kicking. He wants to make his mark after he’s gone. To do so, he knows he must finish well. Pete wants to leave a legacy.

Let’s back up for just a bit of context. It’s around AD 67. The apostle is writing to a group of churches in what is modern day Turkey. This is the second time he’s sent them a note. The first one is the book of 1st Peter. There he writes to encourage the followers of Jesus to hang in there in the face of external pressures and persecution from society and the government (1Pet 4:19; 5:10). A couple of years later, he sends a second letter. This one deals with stuff going on inside the churches. False teachers have infiltrated the fellowship and are doing a terrible damage (2Pet 2:1). Pete wants everyone to remember this is about a personal relationship with the risen Jesus (2Pet 1:2-3). The best way to experience that intimacy is by taking your spiritual supplements (2Pet 1:5-7). He knows that his death is right around the corner. He wants to make sure the people he loves know what to do when he’s gone. Pete wants to leave a legacy.

In the previous verse, the apostle makes it clear that the end is near. He knows “that the putting off of my body will be soon” (1:14). History tells us that Nero executed Peter in Rome in AD 68. We also know that the former commercial fisherman didn’t feel worthy to die in the same way as Jesus, so he asked to be crucified upside down. As a dead man walking, Pete makes the most of his final moments. He tells his readers that he “will make every effort” in his finals days on this side of heaven. He uses the Greek verb spoudazo, which means to eagerly do one’s best, spare no effort, work hard and do with intensity. He’s going to give it everything he’s got! Pete’s gonna max out! Whatever he has left in the tank, he’s putting the pedal to the metal. 

Back in verse 14, the apostle used camping terminology to talk about how God is about to take down his tent. Just in case you may have thought Pete was wrapping up a weekend backpacking with the boys, he talks about his imminent death one more time. Here he calls it his “departure.” This is the term exodos. Yup, it’s the very same word where we get the name of the second book in the Bible. It describes a going out, an exit or, in the case of the Israelites from Egypt, an exodus. Jesus used it to talk about His own upcoming death at Passover when He met with Moses and Elijah at their amazing mountaintop meet up. They “spoke of His departure (Gr. exodos), which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Lk 9:30-31). Pete was right there with James and John when it happened. Jesus knew He was about to die. So does Pete. He’s about to make his final exit.

With his death right around the corner, the apostle desperately wants to finish well. Let’s face it, this dude has had some ups and downs over the years. On one hand, Pete’s not just in Christ’s inner circle, he’s the leader of the Twelve. Instead of choosing some top-of-the-class seminary grad, Jesus handpicked this uneducated fisherman to lead His team. It’s like passing up Billy Graham and selecting crew member from the Deadliest Catch. Pete’s the one who understood that Jesus is the divine Hero God has promised to send to save the world (Mt 16:16). After preaching his very first sermon, 3,000 people placed their trust in Christ. But don’t forget the other stuff on the apostle’s resume. When he tried to tell His Lord what to do, Jesus called him out as “Satan” (Mt 16:23). Pete infamously folded up like a cheap suit when challenged by a middle school girl, eventually denying that he even knew the Rabbi from Galilee (Mt 26:69-75). The resurrected Jesus personally reached out to restore Pete on the beach (Jn 21:15-19). Jesus knew He was headed home to His Dad in heaven. He wanted to leave a legacy in His apostle. 

Now Pete knows that the end is near. It’s not how you start but how you finish. He knows that the most important thing he can do before he goes is to point fellow believers back to a deep and personal relationship with Christ. You see, Pete knows that his legacy is not about Pete. It’s about Jesus. There’s no better legacy we can leave.

Breaking Camp

“Since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me” (v14).

Let’s put something on the table from the get go. I haven’t been camping in forty years. Please don’t get the impression that I’m some sort of rugged outdoorsman who longs to camp in the great outdoors. No, my idea of roughing it is going to a cabin without wifi. The Apostle Peter is no such dude. He’s a former commercial fisherman who made a serious career change to follow a homeless Rabbi/Carpenter and spread the word of His resurrection. Pete knows what it’s like to camp. But more than that, he knows that life is temporary. Our time here on this planet is more like tent camping than house building. We’re only here for a very short time. And Pete knows that it’s about time for him to break camp.

Because the apostle can see the light at the end of the tunnel, he’s made it a priority to remind his friends about who Jesus is, what He’s done for us and who we are as a result of God’s saving work in our lives. In his first letter to them, Pete encourages his readers to see the big picture. When life comes at you hard, know that Jesus is right there with you. Allow Christ to give you the strength when attacks come from the outside. In this second letter, he writes about an assault from inside the church. False teachers are infiltrating local congregations and are doing terrible damage. This is such a critical issue that he’s given it his total focus for the remainder of his short time left on this earth. Before Pete breaks camp, he’s spend all of his energy reminding his friends of the truth.

He knows the clocking is ticking down. It’s crunch time. This is when the real winners show what they’re made of. With the game on the line, Pete takes a peek at the scoreboard to see how much time’s left. “I know that the putting off of my body will be soon” (v14). The clock’s winding down. It’s time to make a play! The apostle uses a Greek phrase that’s full of camping terminology. It’s more like the kind of stuff you’d hear at REI than in church. The ESV uses the phrase “putting off.” This is apothesis, the action of removing something, taking down or putting away. What is he about to take down? His “body” or skenoma. This isn’t one of the regular Greek terms for the human body. This is used to describe a tent, a portable tabernacle or a temporary dwelling. Pete knows that he will strike camp “soon” (Gr. tachinos). It will happen shortly and swiftly. He’ll pack up his tent in the very near future. He knows for a fact that his death is imminent. With his clock approaching 0:00, the apostle doesn’t waste time with things that don’t matter. His priority is reminding fellow believers to know they’re salvation is all about Jesus. Nothing more. Nothing less. Before Pete breaks camp, this is at the top of his “to do” list. It’s the ONLY thing on his “to do” list!

This idea of life on earth as camping is familiar to Jesus’ crew. His buddy John wrote about how God set up His tent on the third rock from the sun. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). “Dwelt” is the Greek verb skeno’o. Look familiar? It’s the kissin’ cousin of the word Pete picks here in his second letter. It means to pitch a tent or set up a tabernacle. Both of these apostles are pointing back to the Old Testament. Back in Moses’ day, God was right there among His people in His very own tent called the tabernacle. Wherever they went, they set up God’s temporary headquarters when they set up camp. John wants his readers to know that when Jesus showed up, He was and is God. Just as God went camping with His people in the OT, Jesus pitches His tent.  

Here, Pete knows that it’s about time to take down his tent and break camp. He knows because Jesus told him. Remember his famous conversation with the resurrected Christ on the beach of the Sea of Galilee (Jn 21:18-19)? This is a key moment in Pete’s life. In a very short time, he went from the leader of the disciples to the denier of his Savior. When a middle school girl accused him of being one of Jesus’ crew, Pete folded up like a tent. Most Bible scholars consider the Gospel of Mark to be Peter’s account of Christ’s life. The former fisherman doesn’t leave out the most embarrassing moment of his life (Mk 14:66-72). After His miraculous resurrection, Jesus makes a point of getting some one-on-one time with Pete. After restoring him to his place in ministry, Christ lets Peter in on how his earthly life will end. When he’s old, he will be crucified just as His Lord was crucified. Since we know the Romans executed the apostle in AD 68, he is clearly writing just before that date. Now an old man, Pete knows he’s about to break camp.

The apostle knows what many of us need to remember. We’re only on this earth a short time. When you look through the lens of eternity, life is lived in the blink of an eye. Pete has an enormous sense of urgency. Do I? Do I realize that the clock is counting down? Do I live like it’s crunch time? Do I live like I’m just passing through? Do I understand that I’m about to break camp?

Three Letters and Three Days Later

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (v3).

Three letters and three days later. Pete uses the little three letter Greek prefix ana- in two HUGE ways here in this verse. Because Jesus’ tomb was empty three days after His burial, these three little letters change everything. Christ’s followers have the mind-blowing privilege of being born again because He is risen. And when you look at this amazing passage in the original language, three little letters make a massive difference.

Three letters. Three days later.

Jesus’ heavenly Dad has such overflowing mercy that He’s “caused us to be born again” (v3). The apostle uses the Greek verb anagennao. It only appears twice in the entire Bible. And Pete’s the one to do it, here and just a few verses later in 1:23. The term means to regenerate or bring to birth again. It describes God’s act of bringing spiritual rebirth causing a definite change for the better. 

It’s where we first see those explosive three letters ana-. This prefix can have several different meetings. A couple of them are “again” and “up.” Slap this together on the front of the root word gennao (to give birth) and you’ve got an absolutely dynamite combination. It can literally mean to be born again or born up. I think Pete’s not making us choose but wanting us to see BOTH meanings in the word. God hasn’t just miraculously caused us to be born again but to be born UP! A huge part of our new birth is living with our eyes on the eternal prize. Born again. Born up. Three little letters that make all the difference.

God generously gives us new birth “to a living hope” so we can enjoy and explore new life right here and right now. Eternal life isn’t some heavenly benefit package that we cash in like a 401k. By causing us to be born again and born up, this jaw-dropping eternal life starts now. It’s a “living hope.” Dive into now. You don’t have to wait. You’re born again and born up for life now.

Pete uses those three letter prefix again when he writes of Jesus’ “resurrection” (Gr. anastasis). The Greek noun describes an arising or a raising up of the dead. It’s the act of coming back to life after having died. Living again after dying. When you take a closer look at the original language, there’s ana- one more time. Here the apostle teams it up with the word meaning stand. So this combination literally means to stand again or stand up. Again, I’m pretty sure Pete wants us to see BOTH ideas. Three days after dying, the resurrected Jesus stands again. Three days after dying, the resurrected Jesus stands up with eyes on heaven. 

Don’t miss one VERY important point. Jesus died. Christ was dead. He didn’t swoon. He wasn’t in a coma. He didn’t lower his heart rate and go into a trance like some swami. He died. And just to make sure their victim was dead, His executioners jammed a sword through His ribcage and into His heart. Jesus bled out at Golgotha. A couple of friends took His lifeless body off the cross. They prepped the cadaver for the grave with nearly one hundred pounds of burial cloths and spices. They placed His corpse in a tomb and rolled a huge stone over the entrance to keep the smell of rotting flesh contained. Jesus. Died. But the radical Rabbi/Carpenter would stand up and stand again.

Three letters. Three days later.

When Christ showed up late for his friend’s funeral, He made an incredible claim to Lazarus’ grieving sister Martha. “I am the resurrection (Gr. anastasis) and the life. Whoever believes in Me though he may die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die” (Jn 11:25-26). A few moments later, Jesus would call Laz back to life. Laz would stand again. He would stand up. I’m pretty sure that Laz, his sisters and everybody who came to pay their respects to the dearly departed lived life after that. Things change drastically when you go to someone’s funeral and they personally thank you for coming when you leave. Laz personally knew the power of those three little letters.

Let’s never forget the power of those three letters. Let’s never forget the power of those three days.

The Day in Between

“The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir we remember how that impostor said, while He was still alive, “After three days I will rise.” Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples go and steal Him away and tell the people, “He has risen from the dead,” and the last fraud will be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard” (Mt 27:62-66). 

I have a fascination with the Easter Saturday. That funky day stuck in between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. The Day in Between. On Friday, Jesus is dead. On Sunday, He’s alive. On Friday, Jesus is executed. On Sunday, He’s resurrected. So what in the wide world of sports happened on Saturday? What went down on the Day in Between? Matthew pulls back the curtain for a quick glimpse of what occurred after Friday and before Sunday. The Day in Between.

The former tax collector picks up the story just after Joseph of Arimathea gets Christ’s lifeless corpse off the cross and places it in the tomb. Matt describes an awkward meeting between the chief priests of the temple, the Pharisees and Pontius Pilate. There are several things that make this confab more than a bit weird and uncomfortable. The chief priests and the Pharisees really do NOT like each other. The priests are Sadducees. They are a sect of Judaism made up of wealthy Jews who have buddied up to the Romans to gain control of the temple in Jerusalem. The Sadducees are religious liberals. Meanwhile, the Pharisees run the synagogues outside the city. They’re the religious hardliners. The Pharisees have very little use for their Roman oppressors. 

These two opposing groups have one thing in common. Their hatred for Jesus. He’s dead. And now they want to make sure He stays that way. This is like Cardinal and Cubs fans coming together. Wolfpackers and Tarheels burying the hatchet. Dogs and cats living together. Mass hysteria. And if that’s not whacky enough, this religious odd couple finds themselves at the front door of the despised Roman governor. Here on the Sabbath of Passover, one of the most revered and holy days on the Jewish calendar, this uneasy partnership visits the Gentile Pilate in order to make sure they put an end to a movement led by a dead Rabbi/Carpenter/Messiah.

What brings them to the governor’s mansion? These Jewish leaders remember that Jesus promised, “After three days I will rise” (v63). While they certainly didn’t expect that to happen, it’s very interesting that the only people talking about Christ’s resurrection on the Day in Between were His opponents. What the chief priests and Pharisees were really worried about was grave robbing. They were freaking out at the thought of Jesus’ followers snagging His dead body out of the tomb. His disciples could keep the movement alive. They could keep causing problems. And this “last fraud would be worse than the first” (v64).

Pilate agrees to give the Jewish leadership a squad of Roman soldiers to secure the tomb. Take the troops and do whatever it takes to “make it as secure as you can” (v65). Roman soldiers performed Jesus’ execution the day before. They made sure He was dead. Now they are assigned to guard the grave and make sure He stays that way. Matt tells us that they put a wax seal on the stone that sealed the tomb. If someone moved the massive boulder to snatch the corpse, it would be obvious. And if that’s not enough, they assigned guards to keep an eye out for any nefarious activities.

There’s just one problem with the plan. It might be able to keep people from getting into the tomb but it can’t keep Christ in it. There wasn’t a plot to sneak in and steal Jesus’ cadaver. Just about every one of His once-devoted followers had beat feet and were in hiding. There was no black ops plan to invade the cemetery and nab the corpse. No, this was going to be, shall we say, an inside job. The armed guards might be able to keep people from breaking in, but there was no way they stood a chance against the risen Christ breaking out!

And you thought nothing happened on Saturday. The Day in Between.

Up and to the Right

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v8).

So just how do you really get to know Jesus? How in the wide world of sports do you have a so-called “personal relationship” with Christ? Can I be blunt? This amazing Rabbi/Carpenter walked the earth more than 2,000 years ago. After His blooding crucifixion, He headed back home to heaven. If to know, know, know Him is to love, love, love Him, how do I do that? Well, our pal Peter has the key. He should know. Pete was a member of Jesus’ inner circle, the leader of the Twelve as well as the first preacher in the church. I can’t think of anyone better to let me know how to know my Savior.

First, the apostle wonders if we have “these qualities” in our hot little hands. He’s talking about the list in verses 5-7. These are the ingredients to a delicious Gospel Stew. Faith. Virtue. Knowledge. Self-control. Steadfastness. Godliness. Brotherly affection. Love. It doesn’t matter how much you have of each component. Simply chuck what you have into the pot. This is the stuff that enables us to unlock a real relationship with our risen Savior. So you might want to take a moment to look over that recipe one more time. 

Pete tells us that these ingredients should be “yours and are increasing” (v8). The first word in the original language is huparcho. It means to be at one’s disposal, have as a resource, be at hand or belong to someone. Check the list. Do you have them? He doesn’t ask how much you have. He simply wants to know IF you have them. If you’re a follower of Jesus, these qualities are certainly part of who you are. OK, they might be small. Shoot, they may even be microscopic. But you’ve got’em. 

He wants to know if these personal characteristics are growing. Are they “increasing” (v8)? This is Greek verb pleonazo, which means to be more than enough, greatly abound and grow to the point of abundance. It describes something that is increasing and superabounding. If you put these qualities on a chart, are they going up and to the right? Earlier, Peter pleaded with his readers to work their tails off to add to each item on the earlier list. “Make every effort to supplement” them (1:5). He’s talking max effort. Or in the words of Scottie on Star Trek, “I’m givin’ her all she’s got, captain! She can’t take anymore!!” You might not have much of the items, but work your heiny off to increase what you have. It won’t be long until they “increasing.” Growing. Even superabounding!

The apostle then lets us know what happens if we fail to increase in these Christ following characteristics. We will be “ineffective or unfruitful” (v8). That’s actually a rather sanitized version of what’s in the original letter. The former hardworking fisherman uses the Greek word argos. It actually means no work. In one of His parables, Jesus talked about how the boss “saw others standing idle (Gr. argos) in the workplace” (Mt 20:3). Paul warned his buddy Titus about the work ethic among the people he was serving. “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy (Gr. argos) gluttons” (Titus 1:12). Do I seriously want to be inactive, not working, idle and unemployed? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want THAT to be on my resume!!

If that’s not bad enough, Pete warns that we run the danger of becoming “unfruitful” (Gr. akarpos). This literally means without fruit. Barren. Unproductive. Unprofitable. Paul gave the Ephesians a heads up when it came to what not to do. “Take no part in the unfruitful (Gr. akarpos) works of darkness” (Eph 5:11). It’s the exact opposite of the relationship Jesus taught His posse about. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in Him, he it is that bears, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Connected to Christ=lots of fruit. Unconnected to the vine=no fruit.

The apostle says that the fruit he’s talking about is “the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v8). He’s NOT talking about filling your head with a bunch of facts about this first century Jewish Messiah. While that’s certainly a good idea, Pete’s talking about a relationship. 

Doing nothing. Producing nothing.

If I’m not maxing out to increase the qualities in the previous verses then I’ll be lazy and useless. I’m refusing to work. If I don’t have the qualities Pete lists in verses 5-7, I’ll look just like any other nonbeliever. So I need to get off my blessed assurance and use what God has so graciously given me to know Him more personally. This “knowledge” is epignosko, a deep understanding through personal experience. He’s given us everything we need “that pertain life and godliness” (1:3). And in doing so, He’s invited us to get to know Him. Personally. Relationally. Intimately. Jesus has given us everything. Now, get to work. That’s the surest way to get to know Him more deeply and intimately. A relationship that grows. A relationship that increases.

Up and to the right.

Recipe for Gospel Stew

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love” (v5-7).

My wife Deb likes surfing on Pinterest. The big reason is to find new recipes. Here in the opening chapter of his second letter, Peter includes the recipe for a delicious new Gospel Stew. He lists all the ingredients for a dish that will not only allow us to fully explore what our salvation is all about but to really get to know God in a deep and intimate way. It’s not really all that complicated. Your key basic ingredient is faith. Start emptying the cabinets of the various components. Go ahead. Dump it all in there. Stir it all together. Let the stuff simmer. And the end result is love. A delicious Gospel Stew.

Pete begins with faith and finishes with love. Always begin with your faith in Jesus. This is the trust in who He is and what He’s done that you and I could never do. He lived the perfect life that I totally failed to do. He died the death for my own sin that I should have died. He rose to a spectacular new life that I in no way deserve. I’m trusting in what He’s done. I place my faith in who He is. This is not so much about the strength of my faith but the strength of the object of my faith. It’s not about gritting your teeth and making yourself believe harder. This is trusting in the most trustworthy One. Jesus. The Rock. So the basic ingredient is faith. Dump in all in. Everything you’ve got.

When we’re done cooking, the result is a scrumptious crockpot that tastes of love. Pete uses the Greek word agape. This is the love that Jesus and His boys talk about constantly in the New Testament. It’s so much more than a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s so much more than doing something for someone whenever you feel like it. This love is a choice. This love is a decision. It’s a love that does. Love in action. Christ proved His love for you and me by dying in our place while we were still rebels against God’s kingdom (Rom 5:8). Talk about an incredible choice. What starts with faith in Jesus ends in love. Love for God. Love for others. Love that gets me outside of myself.

OK, let’s get started on the stew. With all my faith already in the pot, Pete tells me to grab every bit of  “virtue” I can get my hands on. This is the Greek word arete, which means excellence, goodness, valor, uprightness and character. The apostle is talking about the power to do the right thing. MacArthur says this is the God-given ability to perform heroic deeds. Kinda like when the Wizard of Oz proclaimed the Tin Man as a “Good Deed Doer.”  We read the very same word to describe God’s excellence back in verse 3. One of the great ways to express your faith in what Jesus has done for you is do something good. So how much virtue should we put in the pot? All of it.

Our next ingredient is “knowledge” (Gr. gnosis). There are a LOT of Greek words that get translated as “knowledge.” This one describes correct insight and understanding. This is truth properly comprehended and applied. It’s understanding by virtue of experience. The term is even a way to talk about an intimate relationship with a person. Just before listing the ingredients for this Gospel Stew, Pete tells us that God has already given us everything we need to live a life that brings Him glory. That happens “through the knowledge of Him who called us” (1:3). The former fisherman is talking about Jesus. Take everything you know about Jesus, everything you’ve experienced as a follower of Christ, scoop it all up and put it in the pot. All of it. 

Let’s double check what we’ve got so far. Faith? Check. Virtue? Got it. Knowledge? It’s in there. 

The recipe then calls for “self-control” (Gr. egkrateia). This is the exercise of complete control over one’s desires and actions and mastery over one’s passions. The King Jimmy Bible calls it “temperance.” It’s from a word that literally means “inner force” or “holding oneself in.” It was used of highly trained athletes who were in complete control of their bodies. Pete’s buddy Paul wrote that “self-control” is clear evidence that God’s Spirit is working in your life (Gal 5:22-23). Before Jesus got ahold of me, I had very little discipline. But a very peculiar thing happened after He saved me. I started to have the ability to say “no” to a variety of activities that were destructive and began to say “yes” to those brought glory to God. The irony of “self-control” is that I’m not really controlling myself. God guides me and gives me the strength to do it. So make sure you get all of the God-given “self-control” in the cabin and put it in the pot.

Let’s see, Pete then says to add “steadfastness” to the stew. This is hupomone, which means patient endurance and perseverance. This is unswerving loyalty despite difficulties and testings. A capacity to bear up under difficult circumstances It literally means “a life underneath.” In other words, this is hanging tough when something very hard is pressing down on you. It should come as no shock that Jesus is the perfect example of a living godly life under pressure. He kept His eyes locked on His mission of coming to seek and save the lost. He was steadfast in His life-long journey to the cross. God grants us perseverance when the pressure builds. The folks on the receiving end of this letter know all about perseverance under pressure. Pete’s first note to them was all about godly suffering in ungodly persecution (1Pet 1:6-7; 4:19). Open up every can of “steadfastness” you have and add it to our stew.

Let’s see what’s next. “Godliness” (Gr. eusebeia). Pete’s talking about a godly life expressed as good deeds. This is a life of reverence and respect towards my Creator and Savior. A life in constant view of God. So here’s the deal. Do the things I say and do truly reflect that I’m a follower of Jesus? Am I obedient to His commands? Do I make Him famous with what I do? Do I live my life as an act of worship to God? Let me be totally transparent with you. I fall miserably short on the “godliness” scale. But what I do have, I’m going to scrape it all together and put it in our pot of Gospel Stew.

Now stir in “brotherly affection.” The Greek word is philadelphia. Nope, he’s not talking about the city in Pennsylvania. This isn’t cream cheese. And while a Philly cheesesteak always sounds good, let’s stay focused on our Gospel Stew. This is the love expressed among family members. And in this case, Pete’s talking about the affection between followers of Jesus. Just before He went to the cross, Christ gave His crew a crucial command. Love one another. Believers’ sacrificial love for each other would show the world that we’re His followers (Jn 13:34-35). Dump the entire bag of “brotherly affection” into the pot.

Last but not least we add “love” (Gr. agape). The final ingredient will be the dominant flavor in our Gospel Stew. As we said before, this is a deep love with an outward expression. A love that does. A love with legs. As the guys in DC Talk say, “Love is a verb.” What exactly does it look like? Well, Paul devoted an entire chapter to it. When it doubt of what love looks like, flip over to 1 Corinthians 13. It’s the kind of love God has for us. It’s the kind of love we’re to have for each other. Jesus Himself said that every last bit of the Old Testament hangs on the twin principles of loving God and loving others. My friend Ross Turner used to talk about reaching up and reaching out. You have to do both. Reaching up in our love to Jesus must be done while we’re reaching out in love to those around us. 

Let’s review the recipe for Gospel Stew and make sure we’ve put everything in.

Faith. Check.

Virtue. Check.

Knowledge. Check.

Self-control. Check.

Steadfastness. Check.

Godliness. Check.

Brotherly affection. Check.

Love. Check.

Now, take a taste. Any good chef wants to know if what they’re making is any good. Does it taste like love? Perfect!

The Great Escape

“By which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (v4).

Spoiler alert! At the end of the movie “Scrooged,” Bill Murray’s character Frank finds himself being cremated in a burning casket. He’s there because of his selfish and self-centered choices. In many ways, Frank burns in the fire that he himself has stoked. Spoiler alert (part two)! Here in this verse, Peter describes how we have miraculous escaped from our burning coffin just in the nick of time. But we don’t just make it out with our clothes still smoking, barely alive. No, Jesus not only saves us from the blaze but to ultimate blessing. Once He rescues us from the fire, He gives us the incredible privilege of participating in the divine nature. We go from future charcoal to children of the Living God. I hope I didn’t ruin the exciting conclusion for you. No offense to Steve McQueen, but THAT’S a Great Escape!

In the previous verse, Pete lets us know that Jesus has already given us every bit of what we need to live a life that brings God glory. That happens through the unlimited power of God. And we do that through a deep and intimate relationship with His Son. This is important to remember because the apostle is writing to friends being duped by spiritual hucksters. In his first letter, he wrote to followers of Jesus in what we know as Turkey. The first time, the former fisherman encouraged these fellow believers to hang in there as they faced incredible pressure and persecution from the outside (1Pet 4:19). Now he writes a sequel because of crap that’s bubbling up on the inside. False teachers are in the process of infiltrating the fellowship (2:1). The best way to counter any twisted teaching is to know the truth of God’s promises. It’s the key to their escape. It’s the key to our escape. The Great Escape.

The apostle reminds us what a fabulous Giver that God is. He “has granted to us His precious and great promises” (v4). He uses the verb “granted” (Gr. doreomai), which is an emphasized idea of giving. It means to bestow, grant or give as a present. The verb is in the perfect form. For those of us who aren’t members of the grammar police, that simply lets us know that not only has something been done but it has long lasting implications. God has given us these promises and we still have them. They’re still working. They’re still effective. If we’ve trusted in Jesus, we have them. And they’re still working. See, I told you God was a crazy good Giver!

So just how good are these promises from God? Pete’s more than happy to tell us. First of all, they are “precious” (Gr. timios). This describes something that’s very expensive, costly, valuable. The promises of God are priceless. The promises of god are prized. In his first letter, Pete reminded us that Jesus didn’t purchase our salvation with precious metals but “with the precious (Gr. timios) blood of Christ” (1Pet 1:19). There’s nothing more costly than Jesus’ blood. Gold? Please. They use that stuff for asphalt in heaven. We need to see Jesus’ promises as costly and valuable as His very blood. That certainly makes sense. We don’t have access to those promises WITHOUT His blood! 

God’s promises aren’t just priceless, they’re also “very great” (Gr. megistos). This means that they are the greatest. The most outstanding. The best of the best. Greater than great. Nothing beats His incredible promises. Nothing. That’s because God not only makes and keeps His promises, He delivers in ways that blow our minds. He’s been making promises from the very beginning. Flip back to the opening scenes of creation. Our first parents have just jacked up everything after being fooled by a satanic snake. Their sin was still warm but God promised to send One who will come to their rescue. He warned the serpent that “He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heel” (Gen 3:15). And He’s been making promises ever since. To Abraham. To David.  Pete’s buddy Paul told his friends in Corinth that Jesus is the summation of everything God has ever pledged. “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him” (2Cor 1:20). Yeah, I told you these were great promises!

So what good are these super duper, supernatural promises? I’m so very glad you asked. They are the key to becoming “partakers of the divine nature” (v4). In other words, by trusting in Jesus as the total package of God’s promises, we have access to the blessings of eternal life now. We don’t have to wait until we’re on the other side of eternity to experience God’s goodness. Think of it this way: eternal life starts NOW! To be “partakers” (Gr. koinonos) is to be a partner, companion, sharer, teammate and accomplice. It’s from the same word we get koinonia. We’re partners His divine nature. With Jesus. With each other. God has handed us the ability to live a life of victory and glory before we get to the graveyard. “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion” (2Cor 7:1). Because of His overwhelming promises in Christ, we can do it. We’re accomplices of His grace.

Pete reminds us once again of not just the very good news of God’s grace but the awful bad news of where we would be without our amazing rescue by Jesus. We’ve “escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (v4). The apostle flashes back to that burning coffin from “Scooged” (yeah, I know he didn’t really see it but work with me here!). He uses the Greek verb apopheugo, which means to flee from danger and get safely away. Think of those scenes in the movies where our hero snatches the his leading lady out of the burning building just before it explodes. That’s the picture that Pete’s painting.

The apostle uses some pretty disgusting language when he talks about the filth that Jesus has rescued us from. “Corruption” (Gr. phthoras) is actually decay, ruin, depravity and destruction. It’s a graphic depiction of death. Rotting flesh. Decomposition. Yeah, I told you it was nasty. Pretty sure I threw up in my mouth a little when I typed it. And if that’s not yucky enough, it’s on fire. The ESV translates this word as “sinful desire.” But the original Greek is epithumia. It literally means a burning desire. Johnny Cash nailed it when he said he fell into a burning ring of fire. He’s not the only one. We all did. Without Christ, the coffin is on fire.

Is it hot in here or is it just me? 

Spoiler alert! He saved me from the blaze to ultimate blessing. All thanks to His priceless promises. That’s the Great Escape.

The Perfect Gift

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and goodness” (v3).

Do you know somebody who always rocks it when it comes to gift giving? My daughter-in-law Martha is a superstar when she gives presents. Whether it Christmas or birthdays, everyone stops to see what’s about to go down when you read the tag that says “from Martha.” She consistently gives a present that drops your jaw. It’s not only something you want, the gift is incredibly well researched. It’s not so much the cost or quality of what she gives, it’s that she knows EXACTLY what you like and delivers.

She’s good but she’s not God. You see, God is a giver. No, let me restate that. He is THE Giver. It’s just part of who He is. He gives and He gives and He gives and He gives. Everything we have is because of the overflowing goodness of His heart. He gives us life. He gives us food. He gives us His Son. He gives us His Spirit. Pete lets us know that God has done it again. He gives and He just keeps on giving. The apostle uses a verb here (Gr. doreomai) that emphasizing gift giving or the granting of a request. Jesus doesn’t simply toss us a few cheap goodies from the dollar store. He gives lavishly. Over the top. He’s a major league Giver. When it comes to sharing and giving, He’s a hall of famer. His grace is big time. 

Peter describes the source of Jesus’ gift to us. It’s “His divine power.” And if you’re wondering just who the “His” is, that would be the resurrected Rabbi from Nazareth. Yup, Jesus. Second Person of the Godhead. There’s no greater energy generator in the universe than God Himself. Compared to God’s supernatural power, coal-fired power plants are Bic lighters. Nuke reactors are nine volt batteries. When the source of Jesus’ gift is straight out of His power, you might want to step back just a bit. Think about that for a moment. He’s plugged you and me into the most explosive and limitless force that ever has or will exist. Consider the power at your fingertips. It’s divine power. Supernatural power. We’re talking Jesus’ power. Superman had “powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.” Forget that comic book stuff. That’s small potatoes compared to the divine power He’s handed His followers. My knees knock when I try to wrap my brain around that idea. See, I told you this is an awesome gift. I said He is a big time Giver.

So you might wonder why Christ has graciously given us such mind-blowing power. According to Pete, it’s for “life and godliness” (v3). Jesus didn't just save us (as if that isn’t enough!). He gives us life. And He gives us the power to live it. First of all, He presents us with “life” (Gr. zoe). Jesus not only is the Source of life but the Source of eternal life. Pete’s pal John wrote tons about Christ being the ultimate life source (Jn 3:36; 1Jn 5:12). Jesus Himself said that He’s the not only the sole Source of all life, but the life He gives is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. “I came that they may have life (Gr. zoe) and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). Abundant life. Overflowing life. Legit life. In other words, Christ gives us supernatural life that starts NOW! This isn’t some over-the-top benefits package for the sweet by and by. He gives us His eternal life in this life.

And if that’s not enough, Jesus gives us the power and strength to live that life right here and right now. Pete calls this “godliness.” This is the Greek word eusebeia, a compound word that literally means “good (eu-) worship (-sebeia).” It’s a particular manner of life characterized by reverence for God. A life marked by actions reflecting correct beliefs and attitudes toward God. The apostle drops this term four times in his second letter. Pete includes this in his list of qualities that deepen our relationship with Jesus (1:6-7). Later he tells us that our lives should be marked with “holiness and godliness (Gr. eusebeia)” as we wait in expectation for the Lord’s encore (3:11). 

The leader of the Twelve wants his readers to know that worship is so much more than singing a few songs during a service. Is that worship? Absolutely. But only a sliver. It’s SO much more than that. Good worship is life focused on Jesus and His Gospel. Legit worship is life lived in gratitude and thankfulness for who Christ is and what He’s done. True worship is life that drips with the grace and love of Jesus. And our Savior has given us His supernatural power to do that right now.

Peter then goes on to tell us why this Christ has given such an incredible and powerful gift. It’s so that we can have “knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence” (v3). In other words, He does this so we can know Him better. So we can know Him more intimately. So we can deepen our relationship with Him. Check out the Message on this verse. “Everything that goes into life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God” (v3 The Message). He’s done all of this so that we could have a deep and personal friendship with Him. Do you want to really know Him and not just facts about Him? Dive into the deep end of the pool of life. Trust in Him to be the Source of everything you need to follow and obey Him. 

Don’t think you have the power to do what He says? Well, you don’t. And neither do I. Not in our own strength. But He’s hooked us up to His power. His divine power. This is the same power that created the universe from nothing. I’m pretty sure that we can handle anything that life can throw at us today. 

Finally, the former commercial fisherman writes that Jesus does all of this for “His own glory and excellence” (v3). We’re blessed beyond belief that what is over-the-top for our good is for His glory. Ultimately, everything God does is to make sure everyone knows He’s the most magnificent Being of all time. This isn’t some supernatural ego trip. It’s not wrong when He’s the only one who deserves the applause. For God to deny the spotlight would be wrong. Everything He does is for His glory. And that includes graciously giving us unlimited access to His power for life in His name right here and right now.

So, I’m sure you’ve gotten some great gifts in your life. And I figure you’ve given a few as well. But that’s minor league stuff when it comes to what Jesus has given and continues to give. Divine power. Life and godliness. A deep and intimate relationship with God. See, I told you He’s a hall of fame Giver. His grace is big time.

The New Math

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (v2).

Yeah, I know. They told you there would be no math. Relax. Pete’s not talking about algebra, geometry or calculus. This is all about multiplication. But this isn’t THAT kind of math. No square roots. No quadratic equations. These are calculations which are done FOR you. The apostle prays that God will step in and multiply His grace and His peace the readers of his letter. He knows that when that kind of math happens, our knowledge of Jesus will grow exponentially. It’s the New Math. Gospel Math.

It’s important to remember what motivates Peter to pen a second letter. Chances are he’s in Rome not long before his execution. He’s gotten word that some false teachers have squirreled they way into some of the churches he’s planted in what we know as Turkey. Places with weird names like “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1Pet 1:1). The first time Pete wrote, he encouraged Jesus’ followers not to fold under pressure and persecution from the outside. The Holy Spirit nudges the former fisherman to crank out a “second letter” (3:2) because they are problems on the inside. Apparently a team of spiritual hucksters are destroying these churches from the inside out (2:1). The apostle knows that there’s only one thing that can solve the problem. And that’s the New Math. Gospel Math.

Pete writes to folks who already know the amazing salvation which Jesus offers. They’ve already tasted His grace. His completely undeserved goodness. It’s grace because we didn’t earn it. The truth is, what we really deserve is a death sentence. Before Jesus gets ahold of us, we’re rebels waging a war against God’s kingdom. We’re not just misguided and make a few mistakes. We’re terrorists. Trust me, I don’t like that description either. But it’s accurate. Very accurate. But because of God’s unthinkable and scandalous act of grace through Jesus, we also come to know His peace. Peace with God. Peace from God. At this point, these believers are just wading in the kiddie pool of God’s goodness. The apostle invites us to dive into the deep end. He wants us to really know His grace and peace more intimately. That only happens when we know Jesus more deeply, more accurately, and more thoroughly.

Peter prays that God’s grace and peace grow exponentially in our lives. He asks the Lord that they be “multiplied” (Gr. plethuno). This is a Greek verb that means to cause to increase greatly in number or extent, cause to abound, make something grow.  God promised to do some breathtaking mathematics for His friend Abraham. “Surely I will bless you and multiply (Gr. plethuno) you” (Heb 6:14). Dr. Luke wrote about the explosive growth of the Hebrews in captivity. “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied (Gr. plethuno) in Egypt” (Acts 7:17). If you think God doesn’t care about math, you’re wrong. Don’t forget, one of the books of the Bible is called Numbers. Here in his second letter, Pete asks God do some of His New Math for His people with His grace and peace.

This Gospel Math happens when the followers of Jesus grow in their understanding and experience of Him. Pete calls this “knowledge.” But he uses an emphasized form of the word: epignosis. He’s talking about a precise and correct understanding of God. A thorough and intimate acquaintance with Him. This is an accurate perception of the Lord that only comes through experience of walking with Him and applying His principles. This is the apostle’s way of letting us know that there’s a deeper, more thorough and intimate knowledge of God than simply a head full of facts about Him. Is theology important? You betcha, baby! But let your knowledge of Him drive to a deeper love and more passionate worship. As the old song says, “to know, know, know Him is to love, love, love Him.” 

This kind of relational knowledge is a big theme in Pete’s second letter. Deep and intimate understanding of God unlocks the power to life and godliness (1:3). He mentions several qualities that ensure the growth of our precise understanding of Jesus (1:4). The apostle describes the false teachers that have infiltrated the churches as at one point having “the knowledge (Gr. epignosis) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” but eventually rejecting Him (2:20). He knows that when God multiplies His grace and peace to us we’ll know Him more personally. We’ll know Him for who He truly is. Pete’s NOT talking about memorizing your spiritual multiplication tables. He’s talking a loving relationship with Jesus. And this personal knowledge of our Savior is exactly what we need to counter any garbage some false teacher might try to fill our heads with. The best way to keep from being fooled by bad math is God’s New Math. Gospel Math.

Pete Writes a Sequel

“Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (v1).

Peter doesn’t crank out Scripture like his buddy Paul. Between Paul and Dr. Luke, they’ve got most of the NT covered (15 books and possibly also Hebrews). There are three documents that have his fingerprints. Pete has written one other letter with his name on it. Most smart dudes believe “Mark” is his biography of Jesus written through Barnabas’ nephew. This is his third. At some point just before his death, Pete dusts off his pen one more time. This time he’ll write with no other help (outside of the Holy Spirit, of course). He revealed the help he got from Silas in the first edition of his divinely inspired franchise (1Pet 5:12). What’s the reason for this followup? A speed read of 2 Peter tells you that some false teachers have infiltrated the churches who received his previous correspondence. They must be stopped now. They must be shut down and kicked out immediately. That’s why Pete needs to write right now.

Some folks make a big stink that Pete refers to himself as “Simeon Peter” this time around. It’s not exactly the first time it’s happened. Luke is one of the most accurate historians around and he calls him by that name back in his sequel (Acts 15:14). And don’t miss the importance of that scene in Acts. This is a meeting of the early church’s leadership team as they try to sort out what to do about Jesus’ conversion of more and more non-Jews. Chances are this would be the heavy hitters of the faith. And Pete was fresh off trips to Samaria and Caesarea Maritima where he saw with his own eyes Gentiles converted to faith in Christ. 

Just in case you’re not entirely sure of this dude’s identity, the author gives you a quick glance at his resume. “A servant and apostle of Jesus Christ” (v1). Pete makes it clear who’s his boss. He serves the resurrected Rabbi. He writes with both humility (“servant”) and authority (“apostle”). As a matter of fact, he has the guts to claim he’s an “apostle.” This is the Greek word apostolos. It describes someone who has the same authority and privileges as the one who sent them. In the Greco-Roman world, when you talked to someone’s apostle, it was just like you were talking with the person they worked for. This is no casual claim. Not something you’d just throw around to impress folks at a party. He’s letting us know that he’s not just any Peter. He’s THAT Peter. Peter the fisherman. Peter the disciple. Peter the leader of the Twelve. Peter, the one turned his back on his Savior not once, but three times. Peter, the one the risen Jesus restored during a walk on the beach. Peter the preacher who saw God convert 3,000 people at the end of his first ever sermon. Yeah, THAT Peter. Pete THE Apostle.

Now that we have the introduction of the author confirmed, who’s on the receiving end? Who’s Pete writing to? “To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (v1). The apostle writes to folks who are equal in their standing before God. He let them know about his apostolic ID, but he wants them to know that he’s no spiritual superstar. Did he walk with Jesus? Sure. Has Jesus given him authority? No question about it. But Pete needs a Savior just like everybody else. He makes it clear that just because he’s a capital “A” Apostle, he’s just as desperate as they are. For any of us in authority, this is a powerful reminder to not get cocky. Stop copping an attitude. Don’t look down on other believers. You need a Savior just like everybody else. 

From a very practical sense, Pete wrote to these same folks in his first letter (2Pet 3:1). The address on the previous note listed the recipients as Jewish Christians “in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1Pet 1:1). For those of us without a detailed knowledge of first century geography, that’s the northern part of modern day Turkey. In that first epistle, he encouraged them to hang onto Jesus in the midst of some nasty persecution and abuse. First time around, they were on the attack from the outside. This time, it’s from the inside. Some spiritual hucksters have infiltrated their ranks (2Pet 2:1).

Pete reminds them that they “have obtained a faith” (v1). The apostle uses a rather funky verb here. It’s the verb lagchano, which means to receive or be chosen specifically to get something. In Luke’s Gospel, the priest Zechariah “was chosen by lot (lagchano) to enter the temple of the Lord” (Lk 1:9). The former fisherman wants his readers to know that they had absolutely nothing do in gaining their faith. They were chosen to receive it. They were selected to receive it. They were handpicked to receive it. Their faith is a direct result of God’s grace. We only have our faith in our possession because God handed it to us. Actually, other translations (NASB, NIV, NRS) use the word “received.” The NLT reads that this is a “faith given to us by Jesus Christ.” 

In football, the quarterback throws to his open receiver. The truly great QBs are able to thread the needle with tremendous accuracy. They’re able to drop a touch pass into the hands of the most stone-fingered wide out. In this case, Jesus is able to get the ball of faith into our hands despite the fact that we’re covered by the lockdown cornerback of our own sin and rebellion. He got us the ball even though we never made it off the line of scrimmage. Forget Montana. Brady? Not even close. Don’t even bring up Manning. Jesus’ ability to ensure the reception of our faith makes these Pro Bowlers look like peewees. 

The apostle lets us know the process of just how this faith landed in our hot little hands. It’s “ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (v1). God demands perfection. “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (Lev 11:44-45; 1Pet 1:16). There’s just one tiny problem. You and I are jacked up from the moment we’re born. We have a sin nature. We can’t do it. Not even for five minutes. So we desperately need outside intervention. That’s where Jesus comes in. He willingly takes our steaming pile of sin and gives us His perfect righteousness. “For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2Cor 5:21). Luther called it the Great Exchange. Our filth for Jesus’ perfection. Mark Driscoll sums it up this way. Jesus lived the perfect life that I failed to live. He died the death for my sin that I should have died. He rose to a glorious new life that I don’t deserve. When I trust in what Jesus has done for me (that I could NEVER do for myself!), He hands me His righteousness.

Pete writes with incredible humility. He’s a servant. He’s willing to humble himself for our benefit and the glory of God. He’s an apostle. He has put his agenda to the side in order to be one of the handpicked reps of Jesus. He understands that his faith is no better than anyone else. He’s just a beggar that’s figured out where to get the bread. And that bread is the Living Bread that we can only receive from Jesus.