For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Peter 1:16, NIV)
What does the world think when it hears the stories we tell about Jesus? On the whole it appears as though it thinks they’re interesting, maybe even clever, but almost certainly not true. And, because of that, not worth the world’s time and energy.
When Peter writes the letter we’ve come to know as 2 Peter, he’s writing to encourage Christians of the truth they know and hold dear. He doesn’t want them to forget what they’ve been taught, what they’ve come to believe, and for what they’re laying down their lives. Mainly, Peter wants to encourage his brothers and sisters by helping them to be secure in the truth that has been taught to them. They have been cleansed of their sins (2 Peter 1:9b).
So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. (2 Peter 1:12-15, NIV)
In an effort to foster that security, Peter reminds them of what is not the basis for their knowledge and experience of the truth. They did not follow cleverly devised stories about their Messiah, Jesus. If all they did was latch onto clever stories about a guy who lived for 30-some years, then what they’re going through isn’t worth it. And the world is right in it’s goal of shutting them down because they’re losing their lives over nothing.
If, however, the stories about their Christ (their Messiah) are more than mere stories—if it’s true that these stories are built upon eyewitness testimony—then they have every reason necessary to trust them and keep hold of the truth.
The gospel writer, Luke, begins his retelling of these stories about Jesus by appealing to this same standard. He writes to Theophilus not to tell him about cleverly devised stories; instead, he writes to him because he wants him to be sure of the things he’s been taught (Luke 1:1-4). Luke wants Theophilus to be certain, to trust, to have faith in those things he knows about Jesus, because those things he knows—those stories—come from eyewitness testimony (Luke 1:2).
Peter and Luke are of one mind on this issue.
It’s true that we tell stories about Jesus. And we live our lives in accordance with those stories we’ve told and those stories we’ve heard. The further truth is, however, those stories we tell are not cleverly designed tales with little or no basis in historical truth. These stories are a part of the eyewitness testimony of those who were there to watch as those events took place.