The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Text: 2 Peter 1:16-21

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

In the epistle today, Peter wrote, “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.”

In four other instances throughout the epistles, the apostle Paul also urges readers to be on guard for myths that lead one away from the truth of Christ Jesus. One might surmise there was a problem with heretical teaching during this time.

But what is a myth?

The Greek Word for myth, μῦθος, defines a myth as a ‘narrative’ or ‘story’ without distinction of fact or fiction. It is in opposition to the λόγος, which we know to be the Word of truth.

So, a myth is nothing more than a tale, story, or legend that has been cleverly devised to capture the minds and imagination of its hearers. Similar to the legend of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.

However, like Peter, the apostle Paul writes sternly in 1 Timothy 4, “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

We should realize that the young Church Peter and Paul served, found itself attacked constantly by myths masquerading as fact. 

This is a challenge we continue to find ourselves in today, as the Church remains under attack from both external and internal teachings that take aim at marriage, life in the womb, and even the deity of Jesus Himself, the fictitious stories told, have become for many objective truths.

This occurs in many and various ways. Sometimes, one may not even realize their theology is under attack or misleading them. A friend's words just comfort our ears during a difficult time.

Take, for instance, the common phrase, “God only gives you as much as you can handle.” It sounds nice, and many see it as a paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 10, but this isn't what the passage genuinely says. Rather, Paul wrote, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

The saying, “God only gives you as much as you can handle,” places the focus of your redemption or escape from temptation and adversity solely on you rather than on God. But the passage of 1 Corinthians 10 reminds the reader that God is faithful. It is He who will give you escape and redemption.

This may seem trivial to some, but it reveals how clever myths begin to take root in the minds and hearts of well-meaning Christians. And this should give all of us pause as we examine how narratives and false realities continue to distract the Church from Jesus Christ and His faithful Word.

Peter, in the epistle today, was defending himself against the false teachers who had charged that he and the other apostles invented the stories of Jesus. But Peter gives a defense by saying, “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.”

But more, they were there as Jesus was arrested, they were there as He stood trial, they were there as He hung and died upon the cursed tree, they were there as He was placed in the tomb, they were there and saw the empty tomb, they were there as Jesus entered the locked room after His resurrection, they were there as Thomas placed His hands into the marks of the nails, they were there as their Savior and ours ascended into the heavens with the promise of His return.

But here lies the difficulty, we are pilgrims who must continue to await the Lord’s return. But man is really impatient. While time can be our friend in some instances, it can also be an enemy, an enemy that permits the temptations of myths to take root as we grow weary throughout this life.

For Peter and the apostles, the enemies and false teachers of their day were like vultures, ready to attack their confession, which is the Church’s confession. Has anything changed?

The challenge of time in the early Church is that the second coming of Jesus, the day we confess He will return to judge the living and the dead, did not happen as quickly as some had first believed.

We are likewise impatiently waiting for the second coming. We see the world becoming a darker place, we see a present darkness consuming our lives, and we fall into the belief we can handle it on our own. We can redeem ourselves from this pit of despair. As Adam and Eve first believed in the Garden of Eden, we can become God.

Our lives are not that different from those of centuries ago, are they? We, too, find ourselves living in the moment, forgetting the words of the prophets, words that confessed the Messiah, words of anticipation that patiently led God’s people to Bethlehem. God works in His time.

As we live in these dark and latter days, it’s good to hear the words we speak after the readings during Evening Prayer, “In many and various ways, God spoke to His people of old by the prophets. But now in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2a)

God does speak to us today; by His Son, the Word become flesh.

The final words of Peter in the epistle should bring us comfort today and beyond; he wrote:

And we have the prophetic Word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Our world and lives appear to be so dark and gloomy. With the depression and despair of so many around us, we often wonder, where is the light of Christ this day? Or how might we possess the light of Christ for the road ahead?

The Psalmist reminds us:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.” (Ps 119:105)

As Jesus said in the Gospel of John, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Follow Jesus and His Word.

And in reality, this has become so hard today. There are so many churches and denominations. So many books and commentaries to read, so many well-meaning words to be read.

But to avoid myths and fables our time, we must continue to focus first on God's Word. A Word that illumines the way and grants you the comfort and peace of your Savior. It’s a Word that will guard you in His truth and wisdom.

And this should be your prayer as you approach the season of Lent and beyond, that the light of Christ, His Word, would remain a guard to your paths and a lamp unto your feet – guiding you faithfully to avoid the myths of this world and with Peter, James, and John, to hear the glorious voice of heaven. +INJ+

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Rev. Noah J. Rogness

Associate Pastor, Immanuel Evangelical-Lutheran Church

Alexandria, VA