Peter Is Ready To Do The Clear WIll Of God. 2 Peter 1:13-15

"I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder. Since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able to add any time recall these things." 2 Peter 1:13-15

I can think of no greater trial than to lay down ones life for Christ. That was exactly what Peter was told would happen to him by Jesus. At one time, if the disciples considered the future they would have envisioned Jesus ruling over an earthly kingdom while they sat at his right hand. (Mark 10:37). Yet, despite this all of the disciples except John would be martyred.

I like Peter's words in this text, "...as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me". Let me make a few observations.

First, there is no greater authority than the Lord. If He says it, it will happen. Peter has no doubt of this now. Once he doubted Christ's words, "You will deny me three times." Peter couldn't believe that he would do such a thing.

If another disciple said it then Peter may have reason to doubt. If The Lord Jesus says it then it must be believed. It will happen. Do I approach the scripture in this way?

Secondly, we see that the Lord Jesus Christ is clear. Doesn't there need to be clarity to have faith in anything? Jesus made this clear to Peter to remove all doubt and to allow Peter to receive great grace for the event that would happen.

On any issue there needs to be a point when clarity comes and resolution is made. Peter will say in 3:16 that the ignorant and unstable will twist all the scriptures. These people hate clarity and never show the submissive resolve that Peter does here to the Word of God. Yes, the Christian faces uncertainty but he pursues clarity and resolve because this is God's desire.

Thirdly, notice that Peter says, "as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me". Peter had to have a high view of the Lordship of Jesus to accept this fate (2:1). Just as Jesus surrendered His will to the Father, so now Peter surrenders his will to Jesus. This is seen both in the aim of his life (12,15) and in accepting the imminent fulfillment of Jesus' words. Later Peter will describes the wicked as "bold and willful and those who despise authority (2:10).

Lastly, notice that all of this has produced in Peter a gracious disposition toward others. He does not become consumed with self-preservation and self-pity; rather he invests in others eternally.

"...And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able to at any time recall these things." (15)