Saturday, April 25, 2026

Opening Scripture

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, you are the source of all truth, wisdom, justice, and love. Lead me in your paths today. Help me to constantly rest my life upon the eternal foundation of your loving presence. Save me from hurry and worry, haste and confusion, wrongful desires, and the snare of evil. May your Holy Spirit enlighten, instruct, and guide me as I follow the Lord Jesus this day. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

1 Peter 5

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, 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.

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor 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.

Be alert and of sober mind. 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 the family of believers throughout the world is 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. 

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. 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.

Reflection  

This week, we have reflected on the reality that God is establishing a new “spiritual house” for Himself – a new “temple” – among His New Covenant people. The Church is “our people.” As followers of Jesus, we belong to God. Collectively, we are part of God’s family of faith. The Holy Spirit unites us in identity, fellowship, and mission.

Peter opened this letter by identifying himself as an apostle. In today’s passage, he identifies with the church elders. He reminds them that he was with Jesus from the beginning of His earthly ministry. Peter had witnessed Jesus’ suffering and glory. He encourages these church leaders with the same charge the Lord gave him: “take care of my sheep.” Peter can speak with conviction and confidence about the joys and challenges of shepherding God’s flock over the past three decades.

Peter has repeatedly emphasized the importance of personal identification with and participation in the suffering and glory of Jesus as a source of rejoicing. “But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).

This “coaching” by Peter is intended to inspire and support the elders’ faithful service to God in the face of heavy responsibility, increased persecution, and the daily challenges of shepherding God’s people. They were to live as examples to the believers under their care, looking forward to “the crown of glory” they will receive from King Jesus.

It should be noted that church elders did not volunteer or “lobby” for the position. They were chosen by the group. It was unlikely that a person would refuse to serve if selected, even at the cost of considerable personal loss. That included the increased danger of persecution for them and their families.

After addressing the “elders,” Peter turns his attention to those who are “younger” – essentially everyone else. His key admonition is to “clothe yourselves with humility.” Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). So does humility.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Verse 7 offers a beautiful invitation reminiscent of Philippians 4:6-7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Peter reminds his listeners that the stakes are high because God is not the only One who has a vested interest in them. While their loving Heavenly Father wants to support and bless them, their enemy the devil wants to devour and destroy them.

Peter warns the Church to be self-controlled and clear-headed. Stand firm. Fight back. Clothe yourself with spiritual armor. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Paul offers the same encouragement to followers of Jesus. “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (1 Thessalonians 5:8). “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).

Peter closes his letter with personal remarks. It was customary for the author (Peter) to take the pen from the scribe (Silas) at this point to finish the document in his own handwriting. If Peter was in Rome at this time, and if Nero’s persecution of Christians was underway, it would explain why he would cryptically refer to his location as “Babylon.” He sends greeting on behalf of the church there, as well as from his “son” Mark.

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Congregations

Humility, gratitude, and forgiveness are keys to flourishing, and that posture is reflected at the end of this letter. Peter refers to Mark as his “son” and sends greeting on his behalf. John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, was ministering in Rome with Peter, but he had an interesting journey to get there.

John Mark’s mother, Mary, was apparently rather wealthy and owned a home large enough to serve as a meeting place for the church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12). When Peter was miraculously freed from prison by an angel, he headed straight there “where many people had gathered and were praying.”

Later, when Paul and Barnabas were commissioned by the church at Antioch to serve as missionaries, John Mark went with them as a helper. Along the way, Mark made the decision to quit the mission and return to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).

Was he homesick? No mention is made of his father, so perhaps his mother was a widow and he was worried about her. Was he afraid? Certainly, there were significant dangers and hardships in their travels. Was he disillusioned? What had started as a movement among Jews in Jerusalem was becoming a global conversion of Gentiles! Perhaps it was a combination of several factors.

Regardless, Paul viewed it as desertion so, when it was time for the second missionary journey a year or so later, he was adamant about rejecting Mark.

“Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let’s go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left” (Acts 15:36-40).

Mark’s earlier “failure” was the source of “sharp disagreement” between two established leaders. It resulted in a change of plans and a realignment of ministry. The fact that Mark was ready to join another mission trip after quitting the previous one shows growth, maturity, and resilience. The fact that Barnabas was willing to take him back – even at the cost of losing Paul – shows grace, faith, and forgiveness.

Thankfully, Mark’s failure was not final. Paul eventually forgave his desertion. In Colossians 4:10, Paul sends greeting to the church on behalf of “Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.” And in his second letter to Pastor Timothy, Paul says, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).

As it turns out in God’s great plan, Mark went on to write the second gospel.

Humility, gratitude, and forgiveness are powerful!

What is God saying to you?

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!