Crumbs54

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 54

Finally

Scripture 1Peter 5:11-14NIV To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ

Crumbs At the end of his letter Peter gives some personal greetings. We can approach them in two ways: at face value or symbolic of types of folk we met in our Christian paths. We are introduced to three People. The first is Silas. He might well have been the messenger by whom this letter was delivered. Was this the prophet who had sung with Paul in the Philippian gaol ? I do not know but Peter describes him as faithful. Peter did not minister alone but had at least one friend who stuck at it. Too often we can be overwhelmed by the challenges of Scripture because we insist in facing them alone, which is not God’s plan. In verse 12 Peter interjects a summary of what he has written about; the grace of God and He urges we stand firm in it. Silas was an example of this.

The second person is “ she who is in Babylon “. This may have been a church struggling at the centre of the Roman empire. Or she have been Peter’s wife. The wonderful thing was that she shared a common calling and salvation with the recipients of this letter. We are not alone but share a bond with folk of many nations.

The third person is Mark. Peter calls him his son. He may have been Peter’s biological son or his spiritual one. He may have written the second Gospel which some people regard as Peter’s gospel.

The letter ends with the appeal that Christians should show genuine warmth towards each other and experience that deep wholesome calm that comes from God Himself.

Questions

1.What are the main themes of Christian teaching have you picked up from 1 Peter ? 2. How can we help each each other in our Christian lives ? 3. How may we show Christian affection for each other ?