2nd Peter 1 - Legacy

"Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder," (2 Peter 1:12-13)

As we go through our daily lives its easy to loose sight of the bigger picture. We become so consumed with the here and now that we loos sight of eternity, we focus on the temporal and forget the eternal. Sometimes we need to be reminded of where we have come from and where we are going. We need to be reminded of what is really important so we do not become consumed by minutia. Peter was writing of things that his readers already new, yet he wanted to make sure they remembered; remembered that they had been forgiven of their sins and were on a grand journey into the likeness of Christ.

We all need to be reminded from time to time of what life is really all about. Paul wrote to Timothy, "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel" (2 Timothy 2:8) It seems odd that Timothy had to be reminded to remember Jesus, but we can all testify of times where in the hurriedness and busyness of life we have forgotten Jesus and His presence in our lives. Its good to be reminded to remembered often. Even our celebration of Communion is, in part, an act of remembrance. Jesus said, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19)  This need to be reminded is also why we need each other. The writer of Hebrews wrote, "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." (Heb 10:24-25) We need each other to help us to remember and to provoke and sir us on in our walk with Jesus.

"knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind." (2 Peter 1:14-15)

Peter knew that his life was to end in martyrdom. After His resurrection, Jesus told Peter, " 'Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.' Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, 'Follow Me!' " (John 21:18-19) Each day he lived, Peter knew it was one more day closer to his departure from this earth. This knowledge motivated him in his diligence to teach and remind the believers of their life in God. Many people today speak of legacy; a desire to leave behind something to the next generation that follows. However, for many, this desire is not so much about the gift to be left behind as it is to be remembered for the gift. Peter was not so concerned with being remembered as he was for the people to remember Jesus. His life's work was to so ingrain in them the truth that, even after he was gone, they would still remember what he said; not because he said it but because it was the truth and the truth changed their lives.

What legacy are we leaving behind? Is it a legacy the seeks to perpetuate our own remembrance or one that seeks for something greater in those who follow after us? Let us apply all diligence so that, after we depart for heaven, the lessons Jesus taught us would remain in the hearts and minds of those we leave behind.

David Robison