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  • Shepherding in the Midst of Suffering (1 Peter 5:1-4)

    Throughout the book of 1 Peter, we have observed what it looks like for Christians to suffer for their faith. We have seen we should follow the example of Christ (2:18-25). We have been told when we respond biblically to suffering for righteousness’ sake, we will bless and be blessed. We have been called to suffer so that we may share in Christ’s sufferings and to suffer according to the will of God. Yet, if we limit ourselves to this understanding, we have an insufficient view. Why? Because in our suffering as Christians, we ultimately do not suffer alone. Just as the Christian life is not a lone ranger life, our suffering is not a walk by ourselves. God has given us the church, the gathering of His people, to build one another up and to be a witness collectively, especially during times of suffering. This understanding and application of the church in times of suffering must begin with the leadership. Therefore, the Apostle Peter begins there. Peter directs his exhortation to these men God has called to lead, teach, and oversee the church. He says these fellow elders are “a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed” (5:1). These elders know the sufferings Christ went through and now, as a result, they can partake of the glory Christ has by suffering for the faith. But, in the midst of suffering, what are these elders to do? These pastors are to live out their calling and they are to “shepherd the clock of God that is among you” (5:2). In the midst of suffering, God commands church leaders to shepherd. Shepherds do not merely preach. They most certainly do that, feeding the sheep of God’s fold. The role of a shepherd, however, includes feeding as well as watching and caring. The shepherd is the one who feeds the people God’s Word and who oversees their souls, watching over them and caring enough to confront sin and to comfort when there are hardships. This is what God has called to those who are in leadership of His church to be. He has also directed in His Word how these men are to go about their shepherding. They are to shepherd God’s flock humbly and honestly. They do not do this under obligation, but willingly. They do not serve in this manner for dishonest and shameful gain, but eagerly in response to the work of God in their life. They do not dominate over their congregation, acting as a dictator and a sole power. Rather, the shepherds of God’s church are to be examples to the flock, their congregations. In the midst of suffering, pastors in their leadership are to exude humility and honesty. They live in this way because they realize they are not the ultimate authority. The one who is is the One who is coming again. That is why Peter continues, “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (5:4). Elders and pastors are but stewards in watching over their congregations. There is but one chief Shepherd and that is Jesus Christ. If human church leadership is faithful to the task they have been given and to the people they have been entrusted with, then they will receive their reward when the chief Shepherd returns to gather all His people. Until then, may church leaders, particularly elders, be faithful to shepherd God’s people in their congregations humbly and honestly and may church members keep their church leaders in prayer over this responsibility of shepherding in the midst of suffering.

    Reflection Questions:

    • Why is it important to remember as Christians we live, and suffer, as the body of Christ and not merely as individuals?
    • For elders in the church, how can you be more intentional in leading and serving humbly and honestly? For church members, how can you be praying for your pastor as he shepherds the people God has entrusted him with to oversee?

  • Confiando en Medio del Sufrimiento (1 Pedro 4:12-19)

    “¿Por qué?” Es una pregunta que no hacemos cuando las cosas van bien, sino cuando no están funcionando a nuestro favor. Cuando las personas enfrentan dificultades, la respuesta inmediata normalmente no es positiva. ¿Qué sucede cuando alguien enfrenta sufrimiento por razones injustas, específicamente por ser cristiano? Puede encontrarse cuestionando por qué está recibiendo esta aflicción. Puede sorprenderse por ello. Sin embargo, como seguidores de Jesucristo, no deberíamos sorprendernos. El apóstol Pedro hace eco de las palabras de su Maestro cuando dice: “Amados, no os sorprendáis del fuego de prueba que os ha sobrevenido, como si alguna cosa extraña os aconteciese” (4:12). En otras palabras, los cristianos deben esperar el sufrimiento. Deben esperar sufrir como cristianos (4:16). No solo deben esperar el sufrimiento, sino que deben regocijarse en medio de él. Tal regocijo no significa que nos alegremos por el sufrimiento en sí mismo. Más bien, nos regocijamos porque este tipo de sufrimiento nos da la oportunidad de participar en los padecimientos de Cristo (4:13). Creceremos en nuestra semejanza a Cristo, nos acercaremos más en nuestra comunión con Él, y Dios será glorificado. Como aquellos que se gozan en el sufrimiento por la causa de Cristo, somos bienaventurados cuando somos insultados por el nombre de Cristo (4:14). Predicamos el mensaje de la gracia de Dios y la esperanza del evangelio, pero no todos quieren escucharlo. Por eso, insultarán y ridiculizarán. La respuesta del cristiano no es devolver palabras de condenación ni buscar venganza. La respuesta del cristiano es glorificar a Dios y encomendarse a Él (4:16, 19). Dios es soberano, y Él hará que todas las cosas obren para Sus propósitos (4:17–18). Con este conocimiento de Dios, el cristiano puede confiar en el Señor. Puede sufrir como “los que padecen conforme a la voluntad de Dios”. ¿Cómo sufren conforme a la voluntad de Dios? Encomendando sus almas a un Creador fiel y a Dios, mientras ellos mismos se dedican a hacer el bien. Se encomiendan a Dios porque reconocen que Dios les ha confiado sus propias vidas. Los cristianos entienden que son mayordomos de lo que Dios les ha confiado. Por eso se encomiendan a Dios en el sufrimiento. Por eso hacen el bien en medio del sufrimiento. En lugar de permanecer en una postura de preguntas, prestemos atención a las palabras de Pedro y recordemos que Jesucristo murió por nuestros pecados para que tengamos vida en Él. Cuando nos arrepentimos de nuestros pecados y creemos en Jesús, nos damos cuenta de que no nos pertenecemos a nosotros mismos. Reconocemos que Dios nos posee, nos forma y nos muestra cómo ser semejantes a Cristo. Esto ocurre de manera suprema a través del sufrimiento (2:18–25). Así que regocíjate en el hecho de que el sufrimiento te permite participar en los padecimientos de Cristo, entendiendo que serás bienaventurado si eres insultado por el nombre de Cristo, mientras encomiendas tu vida a Dios en medio del sufrimiento.

  • Entrusting in Suffering (1 Peter 4:12-19)

    “Why?” It is a question we ask not when things are going well, but when things are not working in our favor. When people face hardships, the immediate response is not usually positive. What about when somebody faces suffering for unjust reasons, specifically because they are a Christian? They may find themselves questioning why they are receiving this distress. They may be surprised by it. However, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are not. The Apostle Peter echoes the words of his Master when he says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (4:12). In other words, Christians should expect suffering. They should expect suffering as a Christian (4:16). Not only should Christians expect suffering, they should rejoice in the midst of their suffering. Such rejoicing does not mean we rejoice for suffering’s sake. Rather, we rejoice because this type of suffering will give us the opportunity to share in Christ’s sufferings (4:13). We will grow in our Christlikeness, will draw closer in our fellowship with Christ, and God will be glorified. As ones who rejoice in suffering for the cause of Christ, we are blessed when we are insulted for the name of Christ (4:14). We preach the message of God’s grace and the hope of the gospel, but not everybody wants to hear that. So, they will insult and ridicule. The response of the Christian is not to speak words of condemnation back nor to seek revenge. The response of the Christian is to glorify God and to entrust themselves to Him (4:16, 19). God is the One who is sovereign, and He will work all things out for His purposes (4:17-18). With that knowledge of God, the Christian can trust in the Lord. They can suffer as “those who suffer according to God’s will”. How do they suffer according to God’s will? By entrusting their souls to a faithful Creator and God while they themselves go about doing good. They entrust themselves to God because they realize God has entrusted them with their very lives. Christians understand they are stewards of what God has entrusted to them. That is why they entrust themselves to God in suffering. That is why they do good in the midst of suffering. Instead of staying in the posture of asking questions, may we pay attention to Peter’s words and remember that Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we may have life in Christ. When we repent of our sins and believe in Jesus, we realize we are not our own. We realize God owns us, grows us, and shows us how to be Christlike. This happens supremely through suffering (2:18-25). So rejoice in the fact suffering allows you to share in Christ’s suffering, understanding you will be blessed if you are insulted for the name of Christ, all as you entrust your life to God in the midst of suffering.