Last week we left off with Peter’s hopeful words about our Great Shepherd.
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:4).
This verse is in the context of instruction and guidance from Peter to leaders in the church. They are to submit themselves to the Chief Shepherd and tend those who are under their care.
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders…” (1 Peter 5:5a).
In the same way, those under leadership submit–to those in authority over them, and especially to the Great Shepherd.
The Great Shepherd is our example as we guide others and lead them to God.
Agricultural Research Center, Booneville, AR (DBSFRC). Erin Wood (D4396-1)
“He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young” (Isaiah 40:11)
For a reminder of this truth, you might enjoy Frederick Handel’s musical rendition of this verse.1
*How has the Great Shepherd guided you?
*Who are the others in our care?
*How can we tend them?
Peter addressed a similar idea in chapter 2, using the context of the priesthood of believers.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9)
We follow the example of the Great Shepherd when we walk with others in their darkness and guide them into His light.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me (Psalm 23:1-4).
*What does it mean to you to be part of the priesthood of believers?
*How have you helped guide someone from darkness into God’s light?
Peter’s next words, verses we often quote, tie right in with this theme of shepherding.
“… All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
‘God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.’
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:5b-7).
- Word study showed a common theme through these verses: where we stand in our relationship with the one true God.
- When we clothe ourselves with humility, we understand we are unworthy to receive God’s grace.2
- From such a correct view of ourselves, we then extend God’s grace to others.
- God sets Himself in opposition to the proud—those who reject Him.3
- Another way to translate the second part of verse 5 is,
God gives out of His good will divine grace and favor to those who turn toward Him.4
- Due to our sin nature, we are unworthy to receive God’s grace on our own merit.
- From this position, we can move one of two directions:
Reject God or in Reverence toward God.2, 3, 4
- Given God’s great gift of grace, we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand.
- With remorse and regret for our sin against God, we more toward 2
- We willingly place ourselves under God’s dominion, giving His powerful hand permission to act as He sees fit in our lives.5
- God will lift such a person to “prosperity, dignity, and honor”6 in due time—I think we can assume this is spiritual.
- In the context of this passage, we see we have the choice to move toward or away from God.
*What does it mean to move toward God?
*How does moving toward God relate to a humble life?
Peter summarized a verse from David’s writing that describes God’s grace in action.
“Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken” (Psalm 55:22).
- Peter’s summary paints a picture of a “dance” with God.
- As we take a step toward God, He takes a giant step toward us.
- When we cast our anxiety on God, we do so with the confidence of a child7 placing their complete trust in a parent to take care of the problem.
- Such anxiety is the “care that brings disruption to the personality and the mind.”8
- The anxiety of modern life! Those things that concern us and keep us awake at night.
- This verse is an important stone in our faith’s foundation.
- Peter encouraged his readers to give all their troubles to God and place themselves in His arms as a child would a parent.
*When have you “danced” with God?
*How do these steps ease our cares and anxiety?
At the same time, be watchful, wary, and alert.9
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
- Again Peter’s words invite us to envision the metaphor of a shepherd.
- While we walk here on earth, our adversary, Satan seeks us to find and devour us.
- Jesus spoke about this in John chapter 10.
- Satan originally accused and falsely slandered God, and he will do the same to us.10
Genesis records a key incident:
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’” (Genesis 3:1)
Our watchfulness requires action.
- Resist the devil. Stand against him in word and deed.
- Keep your faith firm, strong, and immovable in Jesus and His sacrificial death.
*How can we practice being watchful, wary, and alert?
*What does firm, strong, immovable faith look like?
*How can you partner with Jesus to shepherd sheep?
Believers in this world as we know it will suffer for their faith.
Our hope in God’s gift of grace that offers eternal life sustains us.
In His hope and strength we partner with Jesus to shepherd sheep. (John 21)
1 Enrique Sánchez McClinton. The New Young Messiah – 11 He Shall Feed His Flock.
Song included in the 1993 album “THE NEW YOUNG MESSIAH” Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation Credits: Art Direction – Karen Philpott Concept By, Coordinator – Norman Miller Design, Illustration – Royal (22) Executive-Producer – Norman Miller, Sandi Patti* Photography By – Russ Harrington Producer – Greg Nelson Written-By – G. F. Handel*
2 Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1992), 1366
3 Zodhiates, 195, 1416
4 Zodhiates 452, 485, 1365
5 Zodhiates 885, 1419, 1473
6 Zodhiates 1433
7 Zodhiates 633
8 Zodhiates 961
9 Zodhiates 1011, 1127
10 Zodhiates 191, 419