Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 146th. Edition.
Dear People of the Royal Priesthood,
Today’s passage (1 Peter 5:4) is a reminder to the people entrusted with the leadership of God’s church, that a reward is coming their way. While the reward should not be the chief motivation, it definitely is a great incentive.
The Appearing. The Lord Jesus is the Chief Shepherd. All other shepherds serve in his place and represent him. He is coming back to assess the work and faithfulness of the shepherds he left in charge of his flock. This we should all be alert to. We must never forget that the church belongs to Christ. No bishop, pastor, or elder owns the flock of God and it must never be treated as personal property. We are stewards, managing, and shepherding on behalf of the Chief Shepherd.
The Acknowledgement. The Lord will give every faithful shepherd the crown of glory. The thought of crown here is not that of a sovereign, although we will reign with Christ, but Victor’s crown, associated with the Olympic and other regional games of that time. The victor would be crowned with a wreath made from olive twigs and leaves. His glory would last only a short time because the wreath would wither. But the crown that we will receive from Christ is unfading. The recognition of one’s faithful service will stay with one forever.
What a thought! And to think that some leaders have given this up, in exchange for fleeting glory and material gain. Let’s not seek the temporal and lose sight of the eternal.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.