By Nathan Harris, Ph. D.
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, University of Mobile
BE HUMBLE
1 Peter 5:1–11
For Pastors (1–4)
In ending his first letter, Peter begins with an exhortation for the overseers of the Church and then an exhortation for all believers before finally issuing a word of caution for believers.
First, in exhorting the elders, he adds qualifications that should humble them before he encourages them. He says that the elders are those who are witnesses to the suffering of Christ and who share in the glory about to be revealed. The weight and calling of the pastorate should not be taken lightly, for pastors lead through witnessing about Christ to others and share about the glory to be revealed.
Now that the pastors are humbled by that reminder, Peter tells them how they are to shepherd. He nails down the intention and heart of it. Pastors are to shepherd God’s flock not out of compulsion but willingly, not out of greed for money but eagerly and not exercising harsh authority but by example.
Pastors are to lead humbly as those who willingly give themselves to their flock, eagerly serving and providing a godly example for those who follow them. If they lead with humility, then when the Chief Shepherd — Christ — appears, they will receive their crown of glory.
For Believers (5–7)
Moving from exhorting pastors to exhorting all believers, Peter addresses them with the same thought — to seek humility in their lives as believers.
The section starts with the phrase “in the same way,” carrying on the theme of humility from verses 1–4.
Peter’s desire is for believers to be humble. Believers should clothe themselves in humility toward one another because God gives grace to the humble. We are to live our lives in humility under the lordship and sovereignty of the Lord.
All aspects of our lives are humbly submitted to God in Christ.
Through that call to humility, we are to cast our anxieties upon Him, for He cares about us.
Think about that for a moment. The God who created all things and through whom all things are held together wants us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares about us.
What a marvelous thought!
A Warning (8–11)
Lastly, all believers must hear the warning that Peter provides in verses 8–11. Peter charges believers to be on alert for Satan’s schemes to attack us. We must resist.
Peter compares the devil to that of a prowling lion, ready to attack its prey. As those who are sober-minded, we are alert for those attacks and can resist them as they come.
As we resist the devil, we must be firm in the faith, knowing the suffering we face is not unique to us, but fellow believers around the world — and throughout all of history — are experiencing the same thing.
How are we to face this suffering, these trials and these attacks of the devil and resist them in the faith? Peter answers that question in verse 10. It’s in Peter’s answer we find our ultimate comfort and solace, for “the God of all grace,” who called us to Christ, will “restore, establish, strengthen and support” us through our suffering.
The Chief Shepherd never leaves our side but strengthens us to face suffering with confidence that is only found in faith in Christ.
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