1 Peter 5:1-4
H.B. Charles tells the story about a young pastor who officiated a veteran’s funeral. The deceased man’s military friends wished to have a part in the service at the funeral home. They requested the pastor lead them to the casket, stand with them for moment of silence, then lead them through the side door. The result was that they marched with military precision into a broom closet, in full view of the mourners, and had to make a hasty retreat to cover the confusion.
If you are going to lead, you had better make sure you know where you are going. If you are going to follow, make sure you are following someone who knows what he is doing! Peter says something similar here. He issues an urgent call for faithful leaders in the church. Tough times demand that God’s people have true leadership. God’s flock needs faithful shepherds. When it comes to shepherding God’s flock, Peter calls on these leaders to carefully consider the nature of their life’s work. He wants them to know that Jesus is their ultimate example. These leaders were to faithfully discharge their duties and lead the flock by example, through both word and deed.
Everyone leads someone, and we all lead by example. We teach what we know, but we reproduce what we are. Someone is watching your life up close today. If they follow you, where will you lead them?
For more, read 1 Peter 5:1-14; Psalm 78:72
