For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,i with whom I am well pleased,” 18we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter1:16-21
Legends and myths persist in the modern age. Many remain stalwart believers in Big Foot, though physical evidence is non- existent, photographic evidence is questionable, and eyewitnesses don’t exist, or if they do, can’t agree on their testimony. Likewise, millions are convinced of visitation of alien creatures. Again, no physical evidence has ever been presented and no two witnesses can agree on a given sighting. Such things will remain in the realm of myth and legend until solid evidence is produced or multiple witnesses to the same event can agree on the substance and detail.
Many in our day relegate Christ to the category of myth and legend. The demand for physical evidence does not apply, for Christ’s resurrection was a supernatural event. Nothing was left behind for examination, except for the burial cloths, duly noted by multiple witnesses. Most important, there are multiple witnesses to the fact that Christ was found alive and well following his brutal death. That death, by the way, was affirmed by the Roman authorities when a Roman soldier pierced Jesus’ side with a spear and produced a flow of blood and water. The medical experts will point out that that little detail is proof of death. It indicates that the blood was already separating into its various liquid and solid components.
The living Christ was witnessed by Mary and the other women who went early to the tomb. Later the two disciples of Emmaus witnessed Jesus walking, talking, and breaking bread with them. Then Jesus appeared to the eleven remaining apostles gathered in the upper room. Before his ascension, Jesus appeared to a crowd of more than 500 in Galilee. (1 Cor 15:6). If a single living Big Foot had that kind of eyewitness evidence, we would all rationally believe in Big Foot simply based on the overwhelming eyewitnesses.
St. Peter reminds us that the words we have in our New Testament are the words of the eye witnesses of Jesus Christ. Eyewitnesses of his life, his work, his suffering, his glorification, his death, his resurrection and his ascension. The eyewitness evidence did not suddenly appear under a rock out in the desert. Rather, this witness has been in existence in an unbroken string from the time of the apostles until now. No rational person can deny the existence of Christ, his life, his works, his suffering, his death, his resurrection, or his ascension. And because of that, we have every reason to study, to pick apart, to examine every last word of Scripture, take it to heart, believe it, and do it.
Our world needs fewer myths and more truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6.). This is the great truth you need right now. This is the truth the world needs now more than ever.
Lord God, Heavenly Father, grant us grace and faith to know and believe in every Word that has come from your mouth and from the inspired pens of the Prophets, Evangelists, and Apostles. Through this unimpeachable witness, strengthen our faith in you and our love for the people around us. Amen.
-Pastor Anderson