2 Peter: Last Will and Testament

2 Peter 1:12-15 NASB

Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

Peter is quickly running out of time. Perhaps persecution under Nero is escalating, and Peter can see the wheels of the evil machine turning and picking up steam. Or maybe Peter simply recalls the words of His Master in His final days on earth, “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and some else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Whatever the case may be, Peter is convinced that the time to lay aside his earthly tent is growing ever nearer, for Christ has made it clear to him.

Consequently, Peter writes with urgency and intense focus found today in an emergency room or in a hospital bed, determined to carry out his mission as a sent apostle of Jesus Christ. He writes knowing that his final breath is near and that these could be some of his very last words. In a sense, this is Peter’s last will and testament; we do well to see it in that light and heed the words of a man with a death sentence.

What’s his purpose? Peter isn’t trying to pass along some new revelation. Peter’s task is to keep them focused on what they already know. Go back and read the above verses one more time. How many times do the words remind or call to mind come up? Peter even acknowledges that his audience already knows this stuff! Apparently Peter feels like his message is an important one, worth remembering.

So, what’s the message? The message is a person, and the person is Jesus Christ. All of chapter one before this section is focused on Christ and His work. Believers should see themselves in light of Christ’s righteousness, Christ’s divine power, Christ’s precious and magnificent promises. Christ’s work matters in the life of the believer, indeed, they have become partakers of the divine nature–of Christ Himself; they should live pursuing Christ-likeness in their lives.

All of the rest of the letter is centered on the truth of Christ, His second coming in power and glory and judgment and what that means for this world and its inhabitants.

The message is Christ; to borrow a phrase, they are to live a person-driven life. Peter reminds the Church, “KNOW HIM!”

Brothers and sisters, our culture around us is constantly craving the next big thing around the corner. Technology is on the move continually; the times, they are a-changing. The internet is probably abuzz right this very second with some new exciting flash-in-the-pan. Bestsellers and self-help and blogs and some new guru with the next great message to fix and change your life awaits with the click of a button. Wars are happening; dictators are being overthrown. The next great tragedy of nature is impending. Change is alive, and we as humans are constantly occupied with ever-present intrigue, “What’s next?” Were I to be honest, I’d have to admit that all too easily and often, I get sucked in. 

And the cry of the Christian, amidst it all rings steadily: “GIVE ME CHRIST!” May we not be moved! May we not be distracted or preoccupied with what’s next. May we not grow tired of our steady Rock and Foundation and Peter’s dying message, Christ Himself.

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