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.
Peter acknowledges the importance of Christian friends and co-workers. Peter may be a leader, but he needs Silas to put the words in ways that can be better communicated. Silas is a secretary, but he is also a fellow missionary and good friend of Paul as well as Peter. Silas was with Paul in the prison singing hymns following a beating.
Silas was rejoicing that he could also be counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ sake. Silas witnessed the miracle of the earthquake and the breaking of the chains which become signs to greater things. He witnessed the conversion of the jailer and his whole family, and the received encouragement from the Philippian church. He saw Lydia opening her home to a traveling evangelist, and witnessed the slave girl freed from a demon.
Lewis Timberlake observed the California giant sequoias trees that have their roots just barely below the surface. His experience was that strong trees need deep roots to withstand winds and storms. In conversation with a forester, he learned the Sequoia trees grow only in groves and their roots intertwine under the surface of the earth so, when the strong winds come, they hold each other up.
The church body is meant to be that type of haven, when the strong winds of life blow, people can serve as reinforcements to share together holding each other up as a spiritual family. Peter refers to Silas as a brother and Mark as a son. We are related by a common faith in Jesus Christ.
Mark is believed to be the young man whose house it was that hosted the Passover in the upper room for Jesus and the apostles. He was the missionary relative of Barnabas that left Paul in Cyprus, but later in life proved to be a faithful worker.
We live in an egocentric society. The emphasis is often on taking care of oneself and forgetting about others. We need to be warned against the “serve me” attitude in churches.
Jesus taught us, "It is more blessed to give than receive." (Acts 20:35). Instead, we seek to be blessed instead of being a blessing. Part of the concept of the priesthood of the believers is that we represent God to each other also. I need you. You need me. God designed it that way. We are called into a fellowship.
Application: God made us for fellowship. Pray today for your friends and those whom God has used to help influence your spiritual growth. Find a small group of believers with whom you can share your journey in prayers and accountability.
Prayer: Thank You Father, for this amazing church that equips all of us as a body of believers to be your hands and feet, thus supporting each other.
