To the elders, to the young, Peter gives wise counsel. By Silvanus (apparently Peter’s messenger), the apostle sends greetings along with Mark. And he ends his letter, “Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ” (5:14). As I read and look back over this letter, I am reminded, once again, of the real-worldliness (not with a sinful worldliness meaning; rather, this is real world stuff) of not only this letter but all the Bible. The Bible gives us an historical narrative populated with real people and events and real correspondence addressing real world situations. Though ancient stories, the Bible remains, after thousands of years, relevant to us because those stories are our stories. We experience the same disillusionments and joys as those who were before us. Though living with modern medicine and technologies, our fears are much the same. We still live in relationships – family, church, society, government – and those relationships must be watched carefully. And most importantly of all, with all who have gone before us, we have the same problem of sin and separation from God. But we also have the same promise of redemption! Their (the people of the Bible) stories are our stories! And their hope is our hope!
Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath his wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
God will take care of you,
through ev’ry day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you. -- Civilla D. Martin (1904)
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