2 Pt. 1:1-4; Jn. 13:31-38, Great and Precious Promises

We have little doubt that the background for Peter’s opening words is the time in the Upper Room (John 13-17) on the night before Jesus was betrayed.  Jesus told His disciples of His imminent departure (John 13:33).  They were, of course, alarmed.  Iin spite of their anxiety Jesus did not “lower the standard.”  He still put before them the upward call, the goal of Christ-likeness (13:34-35).  The weakness of the disciples in reaching this goal was most obvious that night in Peter who would deny Jesus (13:36-38).  Jesus knew this!  Yet He still called them to the heights of Christ-likeness.

The reason was because Jesus knew He was not leaving them without what they would need.  He gave them exceedingly great and precious promises:

·        14:1-4: a promised place where they would be with Him forever.

·        14:5-11: a personal path, a way to the Father.

·        14:12-14: a prayer privilege, the authority to use His name in prayer to the Father.

·        14:15-17: a powerful Paraclete (the Helper, Comforter, Holy Spirit).

·        14:18-24: a personal presence.  The Triune God would abide in them.

·        14:25-26: a pertinent prodding, the Holy Spirit bringing to their minds what Jesus desired them to know and remember.

·        14:27: a perfect peace, not like the world’s peace but the shaloam that they experienced when Jesus had been with them.

·        14:28-31: a proper perspective.  He made it clear that what they thought was going to be certain failure would be joyous and victorious.  

There is much that is said about these great and precious promises.  Let us take it one phrase at a time in 1 Pt. 1:2-4.

Ø What Jesus gave them that night would be theirs through their knowledge of Christ.  The gospel, which is all about Christ, who He is and what He has done, is also called the truth which accords with godliness (Titus 1:1).  Jesus IS the mystery of godliness (1 Tim. 3:16).  From the outset Peter allays any thought we might have that having and knowing Christ is insufficient for the life to which He has called us.  Peter, like Paul in Colossians (another letter addressing the Gnostic problem), uses the term that means “full knowledge” (1:2-3).  The Gnostics claimed to have “full knowledge”, more than what was gained through Christ.  The Scripture makes it clear: the full knowledge of Christ is sufficient for life and godliness.

Ø Peter boldly speaks of this life referring to is as partaking of the divine nature!  Partakers is a “fellowship” word.  We share in the life of God because Christ has come to live in us (Gal. 2:20).  Peter already taught us that we became sons of God by being born again of imperishable seed (1 Pt. 1:23).  He is not saying we become “gods.”  Our likeness is to Christ is related to Him as the One who became one of us.  He calls us brethren (Heb. 2:11,17).  He brought godliness into Creation, into Humanity.  Meditate on these truths.  Be thankful for our Lord Jesus Christ.