God Pause - Lutheran Seminary - Moved by the Promise for Wednesday, 26 February 2014 - 2 Peter 1

God Pause - Lutheran Seminary - Moved by the Promise for Wednesday, 26 February 2014 - 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”[a] 18 We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts: 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. 21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
Footnotes:
a. 2 Peter 1:17 Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35--World English Bible
On a candle-lamp tour of a deep cave, our guide invited us to experience absolute darkness. We extinguished our candles and felt a dark so complete it pressed in on your face. After a minute, the guide said, "I'll get out my matches," and we breathed sighs of relief. After a pause, he muttered, "Oh, I must have left them in my desk"—everyone gasped—"Guess we'll have to find our way out in the dark." Stunned silence. A few long seconds later, a tiny flame sprang into view. There was a match after all. And even before we could light a single lamp, we could see not just that little light but each other, the cave around us, and the trail.
Christ is the light. And the good news of Christ is "a lamp shining in a dark place," making it possible for us to see not only his light but also our world and our path.
Lord Jesus Christ, let your light shine in our darkness. Help us to see your life-giving presence in our lives, your call in the faces of all in need, and the ways the Spirit is moving to make all things new. Amen.
Jonathan Strandjord
ELCA Churchwide Office, Chicago, Ill. 
Master of Divinity , 1978
2 Peter 1:16 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 had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,
21 because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.--New Revised Standard Version
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