October 19 | 1 Peter 5:1-4

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DAILY READING

1 Peter 5:1-4

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REFLECTION

Shepherding

By Dave Mann

This text is all about sheep herds. A shepherd tends sheep. He leads them to where they can find healthy food, good water. He protects them from predators. He keeps them from getting lost, and when they do get lost, he spares no effort to find them and to bring them back to safety. This brings to mind the classic parable in Luke 15:3-7, which tells of the shepherd who searches for the lost sheep. When he brings it home, there is a party.

In this passage, Peter makes a clear allusion to Jesus’ teaching in John 10.

John 10:11 -- I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:14 -- I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.

Of course, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is the ultimate guide, the encourager, the protector of his sheep.

This passage is a common sermon text for the ceremony of ordination of a new pastor. Jesus is the model for a pastor, to encourage all pastors to take care of the flock, the believers in the congregation. A pastor is exhorted to lead the congregation with tender care, not with obligation but rather with joy. The pastor should not display an attitude of authority, lording over the congregation, but rather setting an example of a Christian who also is following the good shepherd.

In addition to pastors, I think this passage can apply to others who have a role to play in the shepherding of others – parents, teachers, coaches, and others. There are many people who have a responsibility to lead others into maturity. Take a moment and think of people in your life who have guided and led you on a good path. Was it a coach on a team who challenged you to overcome adversity? Was it a teacher who helped you value the joy of learning and gaining knowledge? Was it a parent or another relative who guided you into the way of reconciliation when there has been disagreement? Was it a youth leader who led you in the path of repentance and faith in Christ? All of these are aspects of shepherding – guiding, leading, challenging, growing.

Let me encourage you to take a moment to thank the Lord for shepherds in your life. You might even send a note to people who have effectively shepherded you.

PRAYER

Thank you, Jesus, for being the good shepherd in my life. You have certainly guided me in prayer and in your Word. Thank you also for human shepherds who have led me in the good way, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.