Take Root #24

 Day 24

1 Peter 5:13-14

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ

“She” who is in Babylon is most probably a reference to the church in Rome. This letter was addressed to the "elect resident aliens" scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. So here we have a picture of unity that crosses cultural, race, and community boundaries with the implication that it is because we are all “chosen”. 

How we all could use this view today.  That we are one in Jesus and should see each other that way regardless of skin color, political views, denomination, or even national affiliations.  Peter audibly tells us to do so. 

“Greet everyone with a holy kiss” means to be enthusiast and loving when we see each other. To genuinely love and cherish each other. This refusal to allow division is capped off with his mention of Mark and Silas in the closing which again shows a refusal to pick sides and divide up the body of Christ…This stubborn unity is desperately needed today.

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