EXCELLING AS FOLLOWERS
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Opening Prayer
Quiet my soul today, Father, as I come to study your Word. Help me to sense your presence and to rest in you.
Read 1 PETER 5
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
To the Elders and the Flock
5 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. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 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.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Reflect
How do you define Christian submission? In what ways is it more than obedience?
Our attitude toward our spiritual leaders reveals a lot about our attitude toward Jesus. God uses human shepherds. As those who are led, we are called to make their leadership a joyful task. Submission to one another is the basic theme that not only undergirds today’s reading but is also present throughout the New Testament. We are not, however, expected to submit to morally corrupt leaders.
Humility is also emphasized here because God’s ways are very different from ours. His kingdom values humility; this humility will help us to remain sober-minded and aware of the work of the devil, who actively desires to destroy our walk with Christ. Submissiveness to human spiritual leaders, inner humility, and resisting the devil are interconnected. The Bible seamlessly connects the visible with the invisible. Can we be humble and accept things in the Bible that may not align with our human expectations?
Peter concludes his first epistle by reiterating that God is a God who rewards and establishes us through, not instead of, suffering. Eternal glory waits for us. Being human, we care about what we can see, touch, feel, and measure. Sometimes our sufferings are also from the devil, who is active in discouraging us (vv. 8, 9). Yet the ultimate control of everything is with the Lord, who promises to ‘himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast’ (v. 10). Let’s focus on enduring—until the finish line, where we know a warm welcome awaits us.
Apply
Consider the legacy you want your obituary to record. What would you do differently from today onward? What would you eliminate?
Closing prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you came to save me from destruction, that you gave me life in you that offers peace and hope. Help me to express my gratitude in everything I do.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
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