Thursday, December 23, 2010

"Eye-Witness Testimony"


Scripture Passage



Scripture Focus

“For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes … ” (2 Peter 1:16 NLT)

Observation

It’s fascinating to think about the kinds of memories that must have filled Peter’s heart as he wrote these verses. Peter was there! His ears heard the Master’s teaching. His eyes saw the Savior’s miracles. His sandals shared the Master’s path. These experiences he describes were not just words he’d read on a page—they were moments he’d lived!

In this verse particularly, Peter references his experience with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Imagine being present on that day—seeing Christ glorified—hearing the Father’s commendation: “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy” (2 Peter 1:17 NLT). Could you ever deny what you’d experienced?

Scoffers may suggest that these are merely “clever stories” we read when perusing the Scriptures, but Peter testifies otherwise. He was eye-witness to Christ… to His life, death, resurrection and ascension. It’s tough to argue with an eye-witness.

And so it is with us. Our witness for Christ, though informed by the Scriptures, should also be equally about what of God we’ve experienced ourselves. “The Bible says… ” will witness best when matched by “… and here’s how I’ve experienced that myself.” Those who “bear witness” to Christ must have something of Christ to bear witness to. So what can you tell me about your experience of Christ?

We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes … ” (2 Peter 1:16 NLT)

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