seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
1 Peter 5:1 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.”
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.
Here's the link to the commentary.That He may exalt you in due time: If God has us in a humble place at the present time, we must submit to God’s plan. He knows the due time to exalt us, though we often think we know that time better than God does.
OK, here's a thought. Peter had to be humble. Peter assaulted a Roman Soldier. He lopped the soldier's ear off when Jesus was arrested. Jesus stopped everything and healed the soldier... But Peter pulled a sword and Peter lopped off the ear. Then to make matters worse, while Jesus was being beaten for Peter's crime, Peter denied knowing Jesus. Peter denied his faith.
I think that's because Peter didn't really have the mature faith of an Apostle. He was afraid. Jesus knew that and Jesus took him back.
Look at verse 7. Jesus was capable and willing to take Peter's beating. After all, Jesus knew He was on the road to the Cross, so what was a few layers of skin to Him? Jesus knew that taking this beating would make the testimony given by Peter even stronger. Jesus knew how things would turn out.
Elders are the men [yes men] who are in charge of the church. Elders are responsible for the wellbeing of the worshippers. Elders are the governing power of the church. Someone has to be in charge.... Elders step up.
Unfortunately, Elders are human and they are very fallible. Peter assaulted a man... he was an Elder. Peter denied Jesus... he was an Elder. Elders do stupid things. So. Peter wants us all to know Elders have no super powers. They have to watch out for demons just like we do. As a matter of fact, since they are Elders, they have more demons attacking them. They have the concerns of the church to care for.... There's a lot of money and power that will twist a good man's faith until he quits. The church attracts demons like honey attracts bees.
Peter says... even if the man is an Elder... he's still a human... and he makes mistakes.
Peter was an Elder... a leader in the new church... and Peter denied Jesus. Like a priest giving up.... Peter made a huge mistake.
Jesus took Peter back.