Reading: We hope each of you have gotten to experience attending a Major League Baseball game, or at least some kind of professional baseball. The smells of stadium food, the excitement in the atmosphere, the roar of the crowd — there’s nothing like it. Watching the game on television or listening to the broadcast over the radio doesn’t compare to attending the game in person. All the sounds, sights, and smells stick in your memory – much better than watching it on a screen. Even today in a quiet room, you may be able to hear the crack of the bat of a big leaguer and the pop of the mitt of a 98 mph fastball. The players themselves seem bigger, faster, and stronger when you witness their performance face to face. Your eyes are opened to the reality of it all with that in-person experience.

Thankfully for us, the Bible is written by countless eyewitnesses to the life and ministry of Jesus. Many people who struggle coming to faith in Jesus find themselves questioning the authenticity of scripture and if the authors of it were truthful. Yet, Peter speaks directly to this thought saying, “..we were eyewitnesses to his majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16). The words of scripture were not thought by the human mind or an illusion of reality. The ideas presented in scripture were experienced in the flesh and derived from the Spirit of God himself. 

Peter isn’t just talking the talk – he walked the walk. In Matthew 17:1-8, Matthew wrote about Jesus’ relationship with Peter, James, and John. During Jesus’ ministry, he took them to a mountain top. Jesus was changed into a gloriously bright apperance on the mountain where “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2). Peter saw this with his own two eyes, and was so enthralled by the sight and holiness of it, he didn’t want to leave. Peter heard, with his own ears, the voice of God declare “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Matthew 17:5). 

There is validity and truth, not just behind Peter’s words, but in all of scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be fully equipped for every good work.” Don’t miss that — ALL scripture is brought to LIFE by God himself. God is the main author of scripture, but he commissioned many pens to write it. These pens may have been apostles, the twelve disciples, prophets, etc. Nevertheless, every idea in the Bible is from God. Rest assured, there is a reason there is not a citation page at the back of the Bible. We need not check the references of the words of the gospel. The lives of these men bear witness to what they experienced and write about, and by this book, there is no better truth and way to live your life – living as a man for Jesus Christ.

Reflection: In what ways can you seek and find truthful answers to life’s questions? Where do you get your news? Identify people, texts, groups of people (credible organizations), etc.

What information in life can you cut out? What sources like to bend truth or flat out lie? Identify them and establish your new avenues today.

Prayer Prompt: Father — thank you for your Word! What a joy it is to have your very words at our fingertips to guide us, lead us, and change us for your glory. I pray that you would help my unbelief. Help me trust more and more in your Word and the gospel. Give me eyes to see you move, ears to hear your voice, and the heart that desires your presence. Lord — give me a Spirit that desires to read your Word and know you more. Help me to see and trust in the power of scripture. I love you, Jesus, and thank you for bearing the cross. You are King!