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: 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 to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 peter 5:1-4
Leadership of Jesus is always worth remembering, celebrating and following. Jesus’ leadership model was servant leadership. Though he was the king of king and Lord of Lord’s he clothed himself in humility and served others like a servant. In John 10:10 Jesus said "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”. Peter calls Jesus as Chief shepherd and we are sheep under him. God has appointed elders or leaders or shepherd over his flock. And God is expecting them to carry out our calling by caring and watching over the sheep.
In 1 Pet. 5:2–3, Peter describes how a elder or presbyter are to shepherd the flock of God.
- overseeing them not as if forced, but willingly, according to God;
- overseeing them not greedy for gain, but eager to be of service;
- overseeing them not as domineering, but being role models for the flock.
Peter has been instructing his readers not to follow the ways of Greco-Roman society, perhaps “according to God” is meant in contrast to overseeing the church according to the norms of society or the dictates of Roman rule.
The leaders who oversaw the Christian community should not misappropriate its resources for their own gain. The proper attitude of an elder is an eagerness to give, not a desire to get.
Peter exhorts the elders that they must not lord it over the people, but rather their attitude must be an example for others in the community to follow. In a culture where status is cherished and authority is asserted to preserve honour, this call to humbly serve others is no doubt a special challenge.
Those who bear the burden of faithfully shepherding God’s flock willingly, eagerly, and as role models will receive the unfading crown of glory when Christ, the Chief Shepherd, is revealed (5:4).
