Chapter 51
A Faithful Undershepherd
[This chapter is based on the First Epistle of Peter.]
Little mention is made in the book of Acts of the later work of the
apostle Peter. During the busy years of ministry that followed the
outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, he was among those who
put forth untiring efforts to reach the Jews who came to Jerusalem to
worship at the time of the annual festivals.
As the number of believers multiplied in Jerusalem and in other places
visited by the messengers of the cross, the talents possessed by Peter
proved of untold value to the early Christian church. The influence of his
testimony concerning Jesus of Nazareth extended far and wide. Upon him had
been laid a double responsibility. He bore positive witness concerning the
Messiah before unbelievers, labouring earnestly for their conversion; and
at the same time he did a special work for believers, strengthening them
in the faith of Christ.
It was after Peter had been led to self-renunciation and entire
reliance upon divine power, that he received his call to act as an
undershepherd. Christ had said to Peter, before his denial of Him,
"When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:32.
These words were significant of the wide and effectual work which this
apostle was to do in the future for those who should come to the faith.
For this work, Peter's own experience of sin and suffering and repentance
had prepared him. Not until he had learned his weakness, could he know the
believer's need of dependence on Christ. Amid the storm of temptation he
had come to understand that man can walk safely only as in utter
self-distrust he relies upon the Saviour.
At the last meeting of Christ with His disciples by the sea, Peter,
tested by the thrice-repeated question, "Lovest thou Me?" (John
21:15-17), had been restored to his place among the Twelve. His work had
been appointed him; he was to feed the Lord's flock. Now, converted and
accepted, he was not only to seek to save those without the fold, but was
to be a shepherd of the sheep.
Christ mentioned to Peter only one condition of service --"Lovest
thou Me?" This is the essential qualification. Though Peter might
possess every other, yet without the love of Christ he could not be a
faithful shepherd over the flock of God. Knowledge, benevolence,
eloquence, zeal-- all are essential in the good work; but without the love
of Christ in the heart, the work of the Christian minister is a failure.
The love of Christ is not a fitful feeling, but a living principle,
which is to be made manifest as an abiding power in the heart. If the
character and deportment of the shepherd is an exemplification of the
truth he advocates, the Lord will set the seal of His approval to the
work. The shepherd and the flock will become one, united by their common
hope in Christ.
The Saviour's manner of dealing with Peter had a lesson for him and his
brethren. Although Peter had denied his Lord, the love which Jesus bore
him had never faltered. And as the apostle should take up the work of
ministering the word to others, he was to meet the transgressor with
patience, sympathy, and forgiving love. Remembering his own weakness and
failure, he was to deal with the sheep and lambs committed to his care as
tenderly as Christ had dealt with him.
Human beings, themselves given to evil, are prone to deal untenderly
with the tempted and the erring. They cannot read the heart; they know not
its struggle and its pain. Of the rebuke that is love, of the blow that
wounds to heal, of the warning that speaks hope, they have need to learn.
Throughout his ministry, Peter faithfully watched over the flock
entrusted to his care, and thus proved himself worthy of the charge and
responsibility given him by the Saviour. Ever he exalted Jesus of Nazareth
as the Hope of Israel, the Saviour of mankind. He brought his own life
under the discipline of the Master Worker. By every means within his power
he sought to educate the believers for active service. His godly example
and untiring activity inspired many young men of promise to give
themselves wholly to the work of the ministry. As time went on, the
apostle's influence as an educator and leader increased; and while he
never lost his burden to labour especially for the Jews, yet he bore his
testimony in many lands and strengthened the faith of multitudes in the
gospel.
In the later years of his ministry, Peter was inspired to write to the
believers "scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia,
and Bithynia." His letters were the means of reviving the courage and
strengthening the faith of those who were enduring trial and affliction,
and of renewing to good works those who through manifold temptations were
in danger of losing their hold upon God. These letters bear the impress of
having been written by one in whom the sufferings of Christ and also His
consolation had been made to abound; one whose entire being had been
transformed by grace, and whose hope of eternal life was sure and
steadfast.
At the very beginning of his first letter the aged servant of God
ascribed to his Lord a tribute of praise and thanksgiving. "Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," he exclaimed,
"which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a
lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an
inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith
unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
In this hope of a sure inheritance in the earth made new, the early
Christians rejoiced, even in times of severe trial and affliction.
"Ye greatly rejoice," Peter wrote, "though now for a
season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that
the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and
honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen,
ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, . . . ye rejoice with joy
unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the
salvation of your souls."
The apostle's words were written for the instruction of believers in
every age, and they have a special significance for those who live at the
time when "the end of all things is at hand." His exhortations
and warnings, and his words of faith and courage, are needed by every soul
who would maintain his faith "steadfast unto the end." Hebrews
3:14.
The apostle sought to teach the believers how important it is to keep
the mind from wandering to forbidden themes or from spending its energies
on trifling subjects. Those who would not fall a prey to Satan's devices,
must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing,
or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be
left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may
suggest. The heart must be faithfully sentineled, or evils without will
awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in darkness. "Gird up
the loins of your mind," Peter wrote, "be sober, and hope to the
end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of
Jesus Christ; . . . not fashioning yourselves according to the former
lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye
holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for
I am holy."
"Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye
know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and
gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and
without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the
world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe
in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your
faith and hope might be in God."
Had silver and gold been sufficient to purchase the salvation of men,
how easily might it have been accomplished by Him who says, "The
silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine." Haggai 2:8. But only by the
precious blood of the Son of God could the transgressor be redeemed. The
plan of salvation was laid in sacrifice. The apostle Paul wrote, "Ye
know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for
your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be
rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9. Christ gave Himself for us that He might
redeem us from all iniquity. And as the crowning blessing of salvation,
"the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 6:23.
"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through
the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren," Peter continued,
"see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." The
word of God--the truth--is the channel through which the Lord manifests
His Spirit and power. Obedience to the word produces fruit of the required
quality --"unfeigned love of the brethren." This love is
heaven-born and leads to high motives and unselfish actions.
When truth becomes an abiding principle in the life, the soul is
"born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the
word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." This new birth is the
result of receiving Christ as the Word of God. When by the Holy Spirit
divine truths are impressed upon the heart, new conceptions are awakened,
and the energies hitherto dormant are aroused to co-operate with God.
Thus it had been with Peter and his fellow disciples. Christ was the
revealer of truth to the world. By Him the incorruptible seed--the word of
God--was sown in the hearts of men. But many of the most precious lessons
of the Great Teacher were spoken to those who did not then understand
them. When, after His ascension, the Holy Spirit brought His teachings to
the remembrance of the disciples, their slumbering senses awoke. The
meaning of these truths flashed upon their minds as a new revelation, and
truth, pure and unadulterated, made a place for itself. Then the wonderful
experience of His life became theirs. The Word bore testimony through
them, the men of His appointment, and they proclaimed the mighty truth,
"The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, . . . full of grace and
truth." "And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for
grace." John 1:14, 16.
The apostles exhorted the believers to study the Scriptures, through a
proper understanding of which they might make sure work for eternity.
Peter realised that in the experience of every soul who is finally
victorious there would be scenes of perplexity and trial; but he knew also
that an understanding of the Scriptures would enable the tempted one to
bring to mind promises that would comfort the heart and strengthen faith
in the Mighty One.
"All flesh is as grass," he declared, "and all the glory
of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof
falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the
word which by the gospel is preached unto you. Wherefore laying aside all
malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evilspeakings,
as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow
thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."
Many of the believers to whom Peter addressed his letters, were living
in the midst of heathen, and much depended on their remaining true to the
high calling of their profession. The apostle urged upon them their
privileges as followers of Christ Jesus. "Ye are a chosen
generation," he wrote, "a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath
called you out of darkness into His marvellous light: which in time past
were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained
mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain
from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation
honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as
evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify
God in the day of visitation."
The apostle plainly outlined the attitude that believers should sustain
toward the civil authorities: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance
of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto
governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of
evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of
God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish
men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but
as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.
Honour the king."
Those who were servants were advised to remain subject to their masters
"with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the
froward. For this is thankworthy," the apostle explained, "if a
man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what
glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it
patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it
patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should
follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth:
who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He
threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: who
His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being
dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were
healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the
Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
The apostle exhorted the women in the faith to be chaste in
conversation and modest in dress and deportment. "Whose
adorning," he counselled, "let it not be that outward adorning
of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not
corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the
sight of God of great price."
The lesson applies to believers in every age. "By their fruits ye
shall know them." Matthew 7:20. The inward adorning of a meek and
quiet spirit is priceless. In the life of the true Christian the outward
adorning is always in harmony with the inward peace and holiness. "If
any man will come after Me," Christ said, "let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24. Self-denial and
sacrifice will mark the Christian's life. Evidence that the taste is
converted will be seen in the dress of all who walk in the path cast up
for the ransomed of the Lord.
It is right to love beauty and to desire it; but God desires us to love
and seek first the highest beauty, that which is imperishable. No outward
adorning can compare in value or loveliness with that "meek and quiet
spirit," the "fine linen, white and clean" (Revelation
19:14), which all the holy ones of earth will wear. This apparel will make
them beautiful and beloved here, and will hereafter be their badge of
admission to the palace of the King. His promise is, "They shall walk
with Me in white: for they are worthy." Revelation 3:4.
Looking forward with prophetic vision to the perilous times into which
the church of Christ was to enter, the apostle exhorted the believers to
steadfastness in the face of trial and suffering. "Beloved," he
wrote, "think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to
try you."
Trial is part of the education given in the school of Christ, to purify
God's children from the dross of earthliness. It is because God is leading
His children that trying experiences come to them. Trials and obstacles
are His chosen methods of discipline, and His appointed conditions of
success. He who reads the hearts of men knows their weaknesses better than
they themselves can know them. He sees that some have qualifications
which, if rightly directed, could be used in the advancement of His work.
In His providence He brings these souls into different positions and
varied circumstances, that they may discover the defects that are
concealed form their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to overcome
these defects and to fit themselves for service. Often He permits the
fires of affliction to burn, that they may be purified.
God's care for His heritage is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to
come upon His children but such as is essential for their present and
eternal good. He will purify His church, even as Christ purified the
temple during His ministry on earth. All that He brings upon His people in
test and trial comes that they may gain deeper piety and greater strength
to carry forward the triumphs of the cross.
There had been a time in Peter's experience when he was unwilling to
see the cross in the work of Christ. When the Saviour made known to the
disciples His impending sufferings and death, Peter exclaimed, "Be it
far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee." Matthew 16:22.
Self-pity, which shrank from fellowship with Christ in suffering, prompted
Peter's remonstrance. It was to the disciple a bitter lesson, and one
which he learned but slowly, that the path of Christ on earth lay through
agony and humiliation. But in the heat of the furnace fire he was to learn
its lesson. Now, when his once active form was bowed with the burden of
years and labours, he could write, "Beloved, think it not strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange
thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of
Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be
glad also with exceeding joy."
Addressing the church elders regarding their responsibilities as
undershepherds of Christ's flock, the apostle wrote: "Feed the flock
of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by
constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the
flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown
of glory that fadeth not away."
Those who occupy the position of undershepherds are to exercise a
watchful diligence over the Lord's flock. This is not to be a dictatorial
vigilance, but one that tends to encourage and strengthen and uplift.
Ministry means more than sermonising; it means earnest, personal labour.
The church on earth is composed of erring men and women, who need patient,
painstaking effort that they may be trained and disciplined to work with
acceptance in this life, and in the future life to be crowned with glory
and immortality. Pastors are needed--faithful shepherds--who will not
flatter God's people, nor treat them harshly, but who will feed them with
the bread of life--men who in their lives feel daily the converting power
of the Holy Spirit and who cherish a strong, unselfish love toward those
for whom they labour.
There is tactful work for the undershepherd to do as he is called to
meet alienation, bitterness, envy, and jealousy in the church, and he will
need to labour in the spirit of Christ to set things in order. Faithful
warnings are to be given, sins rebuked, wrongs made right, not only by the
minister's work in the pulpit, but by personal labour. The wayward heart
may take exception to the message, and the servant of God may be misjudged
and criticised. Let him then remember that "the wisdom that is from
above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated,
full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make
peace." James 3:17, 18.
The work of the gospel minister is "to make all men see what is
the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath
been hid in God." Ephesians 3:9. If one entering upon this work
chooses the least self-sacrificing part, contenting himself with
preaching, and leaving the work of personal ministry for someone else, his
labours will not be acceptable to God. Souls for whom Christ died are
perishing for want of well-directed, personal labour; and he has mistaken
his calling who, entering upon the ministry, is unwilling to do the
personal work that the care of the flock demands.
The spirit of the true shepherd is one of self-forgetfulness. He loses
sight of self in order that he may work the works of God. By the preaching
of the word and by personal ministry in the homes of the people, he learns
their needs, their sorrows, their trials; and, co-operating with the great
Burden Bearer, he shares their afflictions, comforts their distresses,
relieves their soul hunger, and wins their hearts to God. In this work the
minister is attended by the angels of heaven, and he himself is instructed
and enlightened in the truth that maketh wise unto salvation.
In connection with his instruction to those in positions of trust in
the church, the apostle outlined some general principles that were to be
followed by all who were associated in church fellowship. The younger
members of the flock were urged to follow the example of their elders in
the practice of Christlike humility: "Likewise, ye younger, submit
yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and
be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to
the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that
He may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him; for He
careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist
steadfast in the faith."
Thus Peter wrote to the believers at a time of peculiar trial to the
church. Many had already become partakers of Christ's sufferings, and soon
the church was to undergo a period of terrible persecution. Within a few
brief years many those who had stood as teachers and leaders in the church
were to lay down their lives for the gospel. Soon grievous wolves were to
enter in, not sparing the flock. But none of these things were to bring
discouragement to those whose hopes were centred in Christ. With words of
encouragement and good cheer Peter directed the minds of the believers
from present trials and future scenes of suffering "to an inheritance
incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." "The
God of all grace," he fervently prayed, "who hath called us unto
His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile,
make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and
dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
|