Along with the Church sending greetings, Peter also wrote, “so does my son Mark." It was in Mark’s mother’s home where the Last Supper was held. Also, he was the one fleeing when Jesus was arrested. Mark is the one who started on the first missionary tour with Paul, but did not finished. Peter is calling Mark his son indicating Peter had baptized Mark into Christ in the same way Paul calls Timothy his son. It is interesting that one of the Gospels has his name indicating Mark was the one who wrote it or at least wrote down what Peter told him. Either way, the Gospel of Mark, in telling the events of Jesus, is a powerful testimony to who Jesus is; the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. Receiving greetings from such an individual would also be an encouragement to the readers.
“Greet one another with a kiss of love” is a command requiring immediate action. The early Church practiced this until the third or fourth century, but as time went on because of the changes in society the practice gradually changed to a hand shake. The readers as they came to this phrase would immediately stop reading and would greet every individual present with a kiss on the check before the letter was finished. Also, the kiss was not on the lips, but rather on the cheek, forehead, beard, hands and even feet as was the eastern practice. The lesson given shows the importance of greeting one another.
The letter is ended with “Peace to all who are in Christ”. It is a prayer much like Jesus had done at different times in His ministry. The only true peace is when you have made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior. The Scripture teaches you must believe, repent, confess, be immersed and faithfully live the rest of your physical life until Christ returns. You have a choice. CONSIDER CAREFULLY YOUR DECISION FOR YOUR CHOICE DETERMINES WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY!!!