Imagine if I was asked to prove that I was married. How would I do so? I could pull out our marriage certificate or point to our relationship as evidence. I could also bring witnesses who attended our wedding to testify.

While this example is a bit silly, it is not so different from what Peter does in today’s reading. He reassures his readers that Jesus is the Messiah, offering two pieces of evidence. First, he points to eyewitnesses (v. 16). Peter was with Jesus for His earthly ministry. Specifically, he refers to Jesus’ transfiguration (Matt. 17:1–5). Peter was one of the three on the mountain when Jesus unveiled His glory. He heard God’s voice from heaven declaring, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (v. 17).

Second, Peter points to documentary proof. Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection were not random events. They were pointed to by Israel’s prophetic witness. Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); of a virgin (Isa. 7:14); of the line of David (2 Sam. 7:12–13). He suffered and died for the sin of others (Isa. 53:4–9) and rose from the dead (Ps. 16:10). Peter has a high view of the Old Testament, calling it “completely reliable” (v. 19). He also clarified that Scripture is more than just human writing, but inspired by God: “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (v. 21).

We can have the same assurance today. Old Testament Scripture still points us to Jesus as the Messiah. We can read firsthand testimony about His life, death, and resurrection in the New Testament. Jesus is Lord!

Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Look both ways before you cross the street” is advice most of us have heard since we were very young. But not long ago, while walking to the train station after work and listening to an audiobook, I realized I was standing in the middle of a busy street with cars speeding toward me. I was so absorbed in the story that I neglected to look before I crossed the street!

In today’s reading, Peter reminds his audience of the core truths of the gospel. He emphasizes this through repetition: “I will always remind you” (v. 12), “I think it is right to refresh your memory” (v. 13), and “I will make every effort to see that…you will always be able to remember” (v. 15). Much of the work of a Christian ministry is simply reminding others (and ourselves!) of what we have already been taught.

False teaching was creeping into the church. Peter knew that memory fades fast when new, attractive teaching appears. This was especially the case in a culture where believers did not have their own copies of Scripture or other Christian teaching. False teachers were often charismatic and engaging speakers.

Peter reminds these believers that they were “firmly established in the truth” (v. 12). This is a sobering warning for those of us who have grown up in the church and think we may be immune from being swayed by false gospels.

While we have easy access to Scripture and embarrassing riches of solid Christian teaching, we still face challenges. False teachers can make an inroad into our lives through social media. They package their teaching in very attractive ways. Social media algorithms even predict what kind of content will engage you. We need Peter’s reminders urgently today.

Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us long to live a life of significance. We may not be well known or famous by human standards, but we want to know our life has counted before God. In today’s reading Peter helps us do just that.

First, we need to keep in mind that the Christian life is not about earning our standing with God or our significance before Him. We can rejoice in the truth that God has “given us everything we need for a godly life” (v. 3). God has equipped us to be faithful to His calling. One of things He has given us are His “very great and precious promises” (v. 4). All through the Bible, a key dynamic of faithfulness is believing and living in light of the truth of God’s promises. Abram uprooted his life and traveled to an unknown land based on God’s promise (Gen. 12:1–3). David believed one of his descendants would have a throne that would be established forever (2 Sam. 7:13). Today, we believe in and wait for the return of the Lord Jesus. Living in light of that hope is one of the gifts God has given us to live a godly life.

Out of the abundance of God’s grace and provision for us, we are called to grow in holiness and love. Peter calls us to “make every effort” (v. 5) to grow in virtues: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love (vv. 6–7). As we grow in these virtues, “they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive” in faith (v. 8). The important thing is to keep our eyes on the goal, which is to “receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (v. 11). God has given us everything we need to live an effective and productive life.

Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the Bible does not record how the apostle Peter died, early church tradition says he was martyred in Rome. It is said he requested to be crucified upside-down because he was not worthy to die in the same way as Jesus. This church tradition aligns well with Jesus’ prediction about Peter’s death (John 21:18–19).

Near the end of his life, Peter wrote the letter we now call 2 Peter. It seems his audience was the same as that for his first letter: a group of churches in Asia Minor (2 Pet. 3:1). Peter’s opening is typical for a New Testament letter, yet it contains important truths. Peter asserts his authority as an “apostle of Jesus Christ” (v. 1). This is important in a letter where he will rebuke his audience for embracing some false teaching. He also affirms that his audience has “received a faith as precious as ours” (v. 1). Most of the believers he was writing to would have been second generation Christians. They might have felt a bit inferior, or at least less blessed because they did not get to see Jesus in the flesh. Peter assures them that their faith was just as precious as his own. The same is true today. Some people may think that they are less valuable as a Christian because they came to faith later in life. That is not the case! All believers are sons or daughters of God (1 John 3:1–2).

Peter also affirms that Jesus is God, “to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (v. 1). He holds a high view of Jesus! He also knows that true knowledge of Jesus brings “grace and peace…in abundance” (v. 2).

Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the preface to The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis wrote, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence, and the other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” The New Testament models exactly the right balance in how to think about Satan and demonic forces. It acknowledges their existence and warns us to be on guard, but clearly highlights the Lord’s sovereignty.

Peter closes his letter warning the church to “be alert and of sober mind” (v. 8). Charles Spurgeon put it this way: “When we think we have no occasion for the sword, we begin to unbuckle it from our side. We strip off our armor piece by piece, and then it is that we become most exposed to the attacks of our enemies.” Diligence is required in the Christian life.

There are hostile spiritual forces at work in the world. The devil is not idle, but “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (v. 8). Satan cannot be everywhere at once. But he does seek to thwart God’s plan. According to Scripture, the most common way he seeks to do this is through trapping or deceiving God’s people (1 Tim. 3:7; 2 Tim. 2:26).

We are not called to flee or to fear the devil. Instead, Peter challenges us to “resist him” (v. 9). We do this by “standing firm in the faith” (v. 9). We can be comforted by knowing that we are not the only ones who are suffering for our faith. We are part of a whole “family of believers” around the world (v. 9). We are in good company. But even more importantly, we know that one day God Himself “will restore you and make you strong” (v. 10).

Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many believers today live under persecution. According to the Open Doors World Watch List, more than 380 million Christians are “subject to high levels of persecution and discrimination.” The early church understood well what it was like to live under a hostile government and culture.

As Peter approaches the close of his letter, he focuses on what was most important for the church to faithfully endure hardship. His answer may surprise you. He does not encourage organizing to resist hostile government authorities or publicly defending oneself against detractors. Instead, he warns against pride and anxiety (vv. 5–7). Pride and anxiety often go hand in hand. Pride demonstrates trust in yourself rather than God. One cause of anxiety is a belief that you must take care of yourself.

Instead, Peter challenges the church to “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (v. 5). Humility is a mark of spiritual maturity. While we tend to celebrate and lift up the gifted and the exceptional, God loves to exalt the humble (v. 6). This accords with God’s message to Israel: “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word” (Isa. 66:2).

There are a lot of reasons to be anxious, especially true when you could be jailed or put on trial for your faith. Peter does not say we don’t have any reason for anxiety. Instead, he calls us to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (v. 7). The verb here is quite vivid—we are to hurl our fears upon the Lord. We can do so because we can trust Him. Paul echoes this advice: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6).

Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is an interesting exercise to look at job postings for pastors. Often you see churches that are looking for a pastor who is “an influencer,” “a captivating speaker,” or “a dynamic leader.” We highlight the leadership values of our culture.

I think Peter would have some cautionary advice for us! In today’s reading, Peter addresses elders in the church. “Elders” here does not refer to age but position. Elders are church leaders. Peter addresses two central questions: Why should they serve? and How should they serve? But first, he gives a helpful perspective on the role of elder. Peter challenges elders to “be shepherds of God’s flock” (v. 2). They are to see their role as nurturing, caring, and protective. They are to model the caring leadership God demonstrated toward His people (Ps. 23; John 10:1–18). They are also to remember that it is “God’s flock” they oversee. They will one day give an account to Him.

So, why should someone take up this responsibility? They should not do it out of compulsion or for money (v. 2). Following Jesus’ teaching, many churches compensated their leaders (Matt. 10:10). Elders also oversaw the money collected for the poor (Acts 5:1–5; 2 Cor. 8:20). This meant there were opportunities to abuse their role for financial gain. Peter warns against this.

Elders were not to be domineering over those entrusted to their care (v. 3). Instead, they were to lead through example (v. 3; see also Mark 10:42– 45). Paul modeled this: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Their goal should be “the crown of glory that will never fade away” (v. 4). They are to have an eternal perspective on their work.

Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psychologists and medical professionals have long talked about the fight or flight response that people typically have when faced with a threatening situation. Our natural tendency is to either prepare for battle or run away.

Peter’s audience was going through a stressful and threatening time. It was so intense that Peter calls it a “fiery ordeal” (v. 12). While we do not know all the specifics of the situation, believers were suffering for their faith in Christ (v. 16). Peter’s advice to these troubled believers was not to run away and hide. He also did not counsel them to fight back in word or deed. Instead, they should rejoice (v. 13)! The reason is that in their suffering they “participate in the sufferings of Christ” (v. 13).

The same is true for us today. If we are publicly shamed or humiliated for our faith in Christ, it helps us identify more closely with our Savior. Our suffering is also not the end of the story. God will one day vindicate His children. Peter goes on to encourage the church that they will be “overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (v. 13).

Now, it is possible to suffer for reasons that have nothing to do with our faith in Christ. Sometimes it may be tempting to interpret any opposition as persecution. But the reality is that sometimes it is just our own bad behavior that got us into that situation. Peter knew that all too well. He warned his audience, “If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler” (v. 15). In those situations, we need to repent.

Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.