1 Peter 5:1-6 (NIV)
1 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: 2 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; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Reflection:
We’ve all probably heard the term “climbing the corporate ladder”. In today’s society, there is a mutual understanding of a ladder of leadership in the workplace, and those seeking to move up the ladder eagerly do so with various motives. In this passage, the Apostle Peter appeals to the church elders to willingly serve and care for those people entrusted to them. The younger members are also encouraged to submit to the elders; and both young and old are to be clothed with humility towards one another. This exhortation addresses the potential issue of pride and the attitude of superiority embedded in the mindset of the world today; but as Christians, our new identity and vocation as God’s people requires the exact opposite- humility and willingness. This stands in stark contrast to our former mindset and identity, but this is what Christ, the Chief Shepherd, exemplified during His ministry on earth. God calls us to live and love one another in this same way as a new people, nation and priesthood.
Responding to the message:
Let’s spend time in prayer asking for more of Christ’s humility in our lives; for “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” May we exemplify this attitude to one another as we willingly serve and care.
