Scripture
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
Reflection
Peter was an older man when he wrote this letter (he died a few years later). He wanted to leave a legacy of helping people to know Christ and his promises more because Jesus had left a legacy for Peter. Jesus transformed Peter from a fisherman to a fisher of men. Peter went from being ignorant to understanding who Jesus was (“You are the Messiah”), from regret when he denied his relationship with Jesus to restored on mission for Jesus (“Feed my sheep”), from being less educated to becoming an eloquent proponent of the gospel and rock of the emerging church community.
Peter understood it was important “make every effort” for him to grow in relationship with Christ, and to help others too. This is the third time he used this phase “make every effort” in 10 verses (first two times were in verses 5 and 10). He had seen the fruit of his ongoing investment to know, appreciate and follow Jesus and was committed to wanting them to experience the same.
Just as it was with Peter, so it is with you. If you have accepted Jesus as your savior and let Him rule our lives, if you are sincerely trying to follow Jesus daily instead of your will, then you will have experienced His legacy of continued transformation on your character, mind, behavior and speech.
Thoughts for the day
- Knowing and appreciating what God has done for you, what legacy about Christ are you leaving for the people you love and influence? How much effort are you putting in?
- On the flip side, if you can barely tell where and how Jesus has impacted you, it means you are still calling the shots (i.e. being the lord and ruler of your life) and Jesus is subordinate to you. How will you put in real heart and time to get familiar with Jesus and experience His legacy for you?
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What does this passage tell you about humanity?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
- Is there anyone you think should hear or will benefit from this message? Go and tell them.
Prayer
Dear God and heavenly father, help me to make every effort, sincere effort, to know you. Help me be faithful, available and teachable, so I may increasingly experience that legacy you intended for me, and build into the legacy of your love and heart for those around me.
