The undershepherd is to serve the flock with eagerness and willingness so that the congregation will sense their delight and joy in ministering the gospel to them. Others should see that we love our gospel work and that we are eager to do it. But how can we get this attitude of delight in our duties? We get it by looking long at the cross, and seeing that Jesus was willing to take our place on the cross, willing to suffer the loss of all things, willing and eager to give His life as a guilt offering for our sin. Yes, Jesus was willing and eager to die for us! “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (John 10:18).
Serving in gospel ministry is a gift! God calls us not merely to a ministry of duty, but one of great delight, giving out the message of power, love, and freedom! As we remember all that Christ has done for us, we are eager to serve others so that they, too, can experience the freedom and abundant joy-filled life Christ gives.
Christ has forgiven and set you free, transformed your heart and mind, and given you His Spirit. He has taken your past and crushed it to death on the cross. You died with Christ and have been risen with Him as a new creation. Jesus daily nourishes and cherishes you with His body broken for you and His blood shed for you. It is His sacrificial love that compels you and makes you eager to serve His people (John 6:35, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Philippians 2:13, Ephesians 2:10).
“not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:3.
Question 3. What character trait does 1 Peter 5:3 teach?
Gospel leaders and teachers are to be humble examples rather than “lording it over” those entrusted to our care. We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), and we are to let His mind guide us in humble service as servant leaders.
Peter is repeating here the lesson he heard from Jesus. "Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:42-45
Jesus is Lord, but He humbled Himself to take on his favorite title, “Son of Man.” And the Son of Man humbled Himself, lowering Himself down as far as He could go, serving and ransoming us as both our Shepherd and sacrificial Lamb. We who are forgiven through His sacrifice, are to follow our Good Shepherd in this trait of humility, which we get by focusing continually on the cross.
We are to "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2: 5-8). Jesus humbled Himself for us, and this should be the aim of all who have died and been raised to a new life in Christ, to live in the humility of Jesus. "To this, you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." 1 Peter 2:21
In all these things, we are following our Chief Shepherd who loves us and leads us in His way of gospel love!
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4
Question 4. If we serve eagerly, willingly, humbly, and lovingly, look at the cross and minister the gospel to others, what do we receive from the Chief Shepherd according to 1 Peter 5:4?
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