the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
1 Peter 5:1-14
"Feed my lambs . . .; feed my sheep", the Lord had said to Peter (John 21:15-17). Far from presuming that, because of this, he was superior to other Christians (a position which Christendom has given him), the apostle simply describes himself as an elder amongst other elders and exhorts them not to make themselves lords over the flock of the good Shepherd, but to be examples to the flock (v. 3) The sheep do not belong to them; they are responsible for them to the chief Shepherd. This in no way lessens the responsibility of young people to submit themselves to the elders and for all to be clothed with humility, which could be translated as "put on the servant’s apron" (v. 5; cf. 1 Peter 3:8). Grace is given to the humble by "the God of all grace."
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you", adds the apostle (v. 7). This trust and this surrender to God does not do away with vigilance. Satan, our ever threatening enemy, is on the look-out for the slightest slackness on our part and to resist him means further suffering (vv. 8, 9). Finally the Scriptures once again bear witness to the sufferings which the Christian, in measure but like His divine Example, must endure for "a while" before experiencing the glory that will follow (v. 10; 1 Peter 1:11 end).
