I Peter 5:6-14
As we were finishing Paul’s letters a couple of weeks ago, some of Paul’s last written words included a positive affirmation of Barnabas’ cousin, Mark. Now at the end of I Peter, we see Peter sending greetings that included Mark – a reflection of his own affection for Mark. My Study Bible says that early tradition held that Peter and Mark had a close relationship. Many Bible scholars also maintain that Mark’s association with Peter was so close that Mark’s Gospel, in fact, reflected Peter’s accounts of his travels and interactions with Jesus. We’ll never know, but it’s intriguing that Mark gets a mention from both Paul and Peter!
And after you have suffered a little while, … God … will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (v. 10) I love it when I read this list of verbs and then see them all sequentially in order. After their/our suffering they/we will first be restored (from our suffering?), then confirmed as to our true identity, then strengthened (having suffered through these early travails), then finally established – no doubt, established in His kingdom forever and ever, amen!
Slava Bohu!
Yes, I had read that about Mark’s source being Peter.
I was struck by v. 7, with my takeaway that trying to handle your problems all by yourself is prideful (one of my faults), often leading to discouragement and depression. Humbly seeking the Lord, especially with others, is the antidote.