Day 21—Friday, March 13

1 Peter 5:1-4

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.

I’ll be honest; I’ve been all over the place with this scripture. I’ve approached it from very different directions and prepared multiple drafts of comments, but none have seemed right. So, here I am and the following is all I’ve got.

Today’s scripture is directed to leaders in local churches. It seems straight-forward enough.

Pastors, shepherd your flocks as Jesus showed us how.

Care for your people -- enough to know them individually and about their individual and collective lives.

Be prepared (develop knowledge and skills to effectively serve) and vigilant to know what’s going on with your people, among your people, and around your people; be always ready to do what is needed to provide for and protect them.

Serve not only willingly, but gladly, because your heart is in it without regard for what you may receive in return.

Don’t let your ego get in the way; no power trips. Teach and guide patiently and gently allowing your folks to learn and grow in their own ways and times as the Spirit enables.

Live as Jesus modeled; practice what you preach and let the way you care for your people and conduct yourself be your most compelling sermon.

Peter is advising local pastor how to be what Christ wants, how to be shepherds to Christ’s flock until he returns. Peter’s is a lesson in leadership.

It is all good stuff. Commendable. Correct. Sacrificial. Christ-like. Nothing terribly surprising, right?

It occurs to me that nowhere in this instruction is there anything about dictating. Or enforcement. Or judgement. Or punishment if someone doesn’t comply. There is no coercion or pressure. Is that crazy?

What I reflect on Peter’s instruction, what it boils down to in my mind is love -- and all that it produces: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Love fosters unity, it serves, and it covers sins.

Whether we are pastors, elders, teachers, mentors, friends, neighbors, or family members, it strikes me that Peter’s instructions to pastors has applicability for all of us. What if we all endeavored, with the Spirit’s help, to cultivate a habit of treating all others the way Peter instructs pastors to treat their congregants? Would that change any of our relationships? Would it alter our attitudes toward others? Would it liberate us from our desire and efforts to control others? Would it create space and conditions for God’s Spirit to work in and through us and in the lives of others?

Food for thought.

Prayer: Dear God, Help us – love, serve, and live the ways of Jesus. In all our interactions with all others. Strip us of our egos and certainly. Make us humble and open to learn and grow as you show us how. And give grace to allow others to do the same and be an encouragement in everyone’s journey. Amen.

 

-David Moorman