Wherever we go camping, I like to visit the new neighbours to introduce myself. Because I don’t have a common name, I always try to pronounce my name slowly and clearly. 

I focus so much on pronouncing my name, often I don’t hear who the other person is. Then I always feel so silly asking them their name again. 

When I know who they are and where they come from, my next question is whether they know Peter or Anne who also comes from that town. Much to the annoyance of the rest of my family. “Dad, why do you need to know if they know so and so?” 

My defence is that if there are points of contact somewhere and we might even be related many times removed, then I know how that person is made. And yes, many times there had been points of contact and soon we made a pot together or burned a piece of meat. By the end of the week, we are good friends. 

When you read a book, you also want to know who the author is. You want to know if they know what they’re doing and can tell the story. You’re not going to listen to a fool who wants to feed you reading material that’s worth nothing. 

Peter briefly introduces himself: 1I, Simon Peter, am a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. This title of Peter, servant and apostle of Jesus, gives him authority. 

This title made it easy for the guys who compiled the Bible and who determined which books should be included in the Bible and which shouldn’t. Because Simon Peter was called by Jesus himself and he was Jesus’ servant, his writings automatically qualified to be included in the greatest book ever written. 

He wrote the letter to a specific group of people: 1… I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God’s straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  

We are Peter’s relatives. God made this happen and we are very fortunate that God made it possible for us to believe. God’s love for us is so great that He has arranged it in such a way that we may believe in Him and Jesus. 

Peter managed to write for others based on his identity as a servant, and as one who was called and redeemed. That’s why we can listen to what he says. We can follow his example as a brother and follow him since we are family. 

And then I wondered what I do with my status as a servant of God. You see, we, chosen by God and all family in Christ, also have a special status as children of God. We must live this status in the world. 

All of us are also called to share our and God’s story of salvation with the world. And others can and should listen to us, not because we are so good, but because God calls and empowers us to do so. The only question is whether we are serious about our status and instruction to tell others about God’s salvation in our lives wherever we go. 

 Scripture
2 Peter 1:1-2  

Reflection
What is your status in Jesus?
Who is your family?
Who do you have to tell? 

Prayer
Father, thank you for choosing me to believe. Thank you that I can be part of Your family. Help me tell the good news to the rest of the world. Amen.