2 Peter 1:1-11
Edward M. Keazirian
Who is this Jesus of whom we sing? “Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free...Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King..."
The youthful, impetuous Peter exclaimed that he was “the Messiah, the son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Years later, an aged, more mature Peter affirms in unmistakable terms that he is “our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1–2).
Using an elegant Greek grammatical construction in these verses, Peter makes it clear that Jesus is not only the Christ– that royal Messianic descendant of David destined to rescue and rule the people of God; nor only the Savior, who like Moses would deliver people from the ultimate enslavement of sin and death; but also–indeed consummately–God himself. What is more, this God of glory and absolute virtue (vs. 3) has invited us to know him and to participate in his glory and virtue.
As Peter goes on to say (vs. 5-7), our response begins with faith, but matures ultimately into love. In this Advent season, as so many around us are consumed with shopping, wrapping, decorating and baking, let us rather work hard to appropriate the goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness and kindness that move us from faith to love. That will be our best preparation for Christmas.
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