“Be A Good Shepherd…!”

“Be A Good Shepherd …!”(I Pt.5:1-4).
Our people say the young are to be blamed when things go wrong with them if they ignored the advice of the elders. On the other hand, the elders are to be blamed when things go wrong with the young, if the elders failed to advice the young. In this generation where we are prone to asking, “Where did we go wrong?, How did we get here?” Perhaps a more appropriate question to ask is “Who is to blame; the elders or the younger ones?”
Peter’s words to the elders among the congregation/Christian community does not need any sermonising.
“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; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples of the flock.”
Few points to note: the flock placed under the care of elders belongs to God. Their responsibilities over the flock include caring for them and watching over them. Since the flock does not belong to them, they are accountable to God the owner.
Taking care of others should not simply be out of a sense of duty, but out of a real desire to serve.
The flock under the sgepherd is not the shepherd’s “chop farm” to be exploited with impunity! Service to God’s people must not be for the benefits that we can get out of the people, rather we must be eager to serve sacrificially.
Again being elders to the flock is not to lord it over them like rulers do, rather elders must be exemplary.
The labor of the shepherd is not in vain. The reward is an unfading crown of glory to be received from the Chief Shepherd when he appears.
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit guide us and enable us to care and watch over the flock in the spirit of the Chief Shepherd. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang