image source: http://itech.dickinson.edu/chemistry/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/flock_of_sheep.jpg
Winding up I Peter ...
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Peter, guided by the Spirit, ended this letter with an admonition about the role of being a shepherd to the flock. This message would have had a great emotional connection to him.
One of the episodes in his life that undoubtedly seared Peter's heart was being told by Jesus that he would deny Jesus. Peter, of course, insisted, no way, no how, not going to happen. But, as Jesus had predicted, Peter when challenged, denied Jesus three times.
Later on, Jesus restored Peter in John 21. Excerpt:
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"Peter wound up the letter with a few more quick hits on living life ...
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older.
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Saint Peter then came back around to the topic he had been addressing in chapters three and four: suffering.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Looks like the letter has ended!
But we get a bit of a postscript into the personal life of Peter ...
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.
Some scholars speculated that Peter, the lowly fisherman, would have been unable to write in Greek and thus Silas may have helped draft this letter. Perhaps Silas was the secretary who wrote down what Peter said. Perhaps Silas had a larger role in composing the letter.
In a sense, speculation about Silas's role mirrors the discussion on the human role in God's inspiration of the Scriptures. Scholars debate what it actually means for the Scriptures to be inspired. Was God dictating the words to Peter, Paul, Moses, etc.? Or was it some kind of partnership where God implants the ideas but the words come from the personalities and experiences of the human participant?
Whatever the mechanism of inspiration, the key question for us is: do I take the Scriptures as as authoritative guide for living?
She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Babylon might be a symbol for Rome?
In the historic Jewish experience, Babylon was the dominating world power that conquered Jerusalem in 586 BCE. In Peter's time, Rome was the world power.
Mark is believed to be the Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark.
And so ends, I Peter.
Lord, grant wisdom to those who are shepherds of churches today here in the USA and around the world. Give them courage to preach the truth of Jesus. Help us who want to follow you to take comfort in the story of Peter in how you worked in an ordinary fisherman and who had his share of blunders. Your grace is truly beyond our imaginings. Please work in you me today. Amen.
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