20090531
There is an imagery or word picture that runs through 1 Peter 5 and it is that of a shepherd and his sheep. Central to this relationship is the fact that the shepherd has led his sheep well and they, in return, obey him. In the context of the church, 1 Peter 5 can be viewed as the mutual ministry of elders to members and members to elders and all to one another.
How does the shepherd minister to his flock? He knows each one by name and they know his voice (Jn. 10:2-14), implying that elder and member are found in each other’s time and company. He “leads them out” so that harm does not engulf them (Ps. 78:53), signalling that the elder watches out for signs of danger and the member responds to his “red alerts”. The shepherd leads the sheep to green pastures and quiet waters (Ps. 23:2-3). There is feeding and restoring the soul to spiritual nourishment, the elder’s most important job. Pastor Chuck Smith notes: “the flock of God gets fed all kinds of hodgepodge. You can go to church and get good doses of psychology and philosophy, but to really just be fed the Word of God is a rare thing.” Spiritual shepherds, he says in “Through The Bible C2000” series, must “really feed the flock of God with the Word of God that will nourish their souls unto eternal life”.
Why is feeding the flock so important? Because the devil, as he prowls, seeks the weakest link – the sheep at the fray and unattended – to devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Someone to distract (with so many things around us), derail (when we look away from the Lord in our lives), and destroy (so we may sin, and bring shame to His Name). How is the flock to respond? Be “submissive” – a military term that means to “rank under”. In short, it means “fall in”. To have Christians break rank, especially during the persecution of Emperor Nero, would be disastrous. So “all of you clothe yourselves with humility” (1 Pet. 5:5). This rare statement refers to a slave putting on an apron before serving, as Jesus did before washing the disciple’s feet (Jn. 13:4). Also, to cast “all anxiety” upon our Lord Jesus (1 Pet. 5:7). Then, Christ the Chief Shepherd will reward the elder for good leading and the member for good following when He comes.
