Back to the Future

In the 1985 movie, Back to the Future, teenager Marty McFly accidentally transports back to 1955 in the time machine his eccentric scientist friend, Emmett “Doc” Brown, invented. His arrival in the past started to change the future. Only Doc knew the immensity of what had happened and cautioned Marty not to alter the future, but it was too late. As Marty was about to leave 1955 for 1985, he wanted to warn Doc about his future, but Doc refused to know.

Peter didn’t have the chance – the Lord Jesus told him exactly what would happen to his future.

“Simon, son of John, . . . when you were young, you dressed yourself and went where you wanted. When you are old, you will stretch your hands, and others will dress and carry you where you don’t want to go.” (John 21:18)

John, who reported this statement, said that Jesus was referring to how Peter would die (21:19). Tradition says that Peter was crucified (perhaps even upside down).

Peter knew his death was imminent and wanted to remind his congregations of some basic truths. That was why he was writing this letter.

“I am about to remind you of these things even if you know them and are established in these truths. It’s right for me to remember you while I remain in this tent since I knew the time to set aside my tent is coming quickly as our Lord Jesus Christ has revealed it to me. So, I hasten to remind you before my exodus comes.” (2 Pet 1:12–15)

Peter repeated the words “remind” and “remember” (the same word in Greek) three times and his death three times. Perhaps he reflected on the time before Jesus predicted his death when he asked him three times if he loved him and commissioned him three times to feed his sheep (John 21:15–17). Similarly, Peter took a chance to remember and remind his congregation of basic truths before his death.

Peter referred to his body as his tent (skinoma). At Jesus’s transfiguration, he had said, “Lord. It is good for us to be here. If you want, I’ll make three tents (skini) – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Matt 17:4). These words are interrelated. The ending, –ma, is often added to a noun to deemphasize it or make it small (diminutive). For example, entoli is God’s commands, and entalma is people’s rules (e.g., Matt 15:9). Peter was happy to set aside his earthly little tent because he wanted all along the heavenly big tent where he could be with the Lord, Moses, and Elijah. Soon, he would get his wish! But before he left (his exodus), he wanted to remember and remind them of some things he considered the right thing to do. Again, he was reminiscing how the Lord took time to remember, restore, and recommission him before he departed.

Whereas the world strives so hard to prolong life, we should gladly welcome the setting aside of our physical tent, fleshly bodies, because something far more significant (heavenly bodies) awaits us. Until that time comes, however, we remember our friends and challenge them to walk faithfully with the Lord.