1 Pet 5:1–14

5:1
So as your fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and as one
who shares in the glory that will be revealed, I urge the elders among you:
2
Give a shepherd’s care to God’s flock among you, exercising oversight not
merely as a duty but willingly under God’s direction, not for shameful
profit but eagerly.
3
And do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the
flock.
4
Then when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory
that never fades away.
5
In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of
you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God
opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
6
And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his
mighty hand
7
by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.
8
Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the
prowl looking for someone to devour.
9
Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and
sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering.
10
And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who
called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm,
strengthen, and establish you.
11
To him belongs the power forever. Amen.
12
Through Silvanus, whom I know to be a faithful brother, I have written to
you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify that this is the true
grace of God. Stand fast in it.
13
The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you, and so does
Mark, my son.
14
Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in
Christ.

One thought:

 

We were all like sheep gone astray, but now brought into Jesus’ (the Chief Shepherd’s) flock, together, with the help of elder shepherds – we live differently together.

Three questions:

 

Are the elders simply ‘older people’ or do the refer to the more mature in Christ? What do you think?

 

Do you see yourself as a sheep needing guidance (if nothing else, from Jesus) or are you self-sufficient.

 

How could you submit to Christ as your Chief Shepherd?

 

Prayer:

 

Acknowledge Jesus as your Chief Shepherd.

Give thanks that you have been brought into God’s flock.

Ask God to help you to submit to Him and His delegated authorities.

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