Opening Prayer
“God the Holy Spirit, send down love burning in our hearts.” Amen.
Text: First Peter 5:1–5
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords 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 does not fade away. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Devotion
Those whom God established as elders and overseers in the congregations, namely bishops and pastors and tested laymen, shall “shepherd the flock of God.” This pastoral call is glorious, but filled with great responsibility, for they will give account to the Lord for the souls, to Him who bought them with His blood. Love is the great Prince to whom everyone and everything belongs, and love alone is the real Shepherd of souls. Hirelings do not have hearts for the sheep. When God made us overseers of the flock and gave us love for His sheep, then these are our heart’s own. Then we willingly have supervision with them and tend them with joy and gladness as Jesus Christ’s beloved and dearly-bought souls. If in faith we know His suffering, and in hope His glory, then we love Him and we love the souls He redeemed with His blood and entrusted to our care. But how rare they are, such elders, who do not look for gain, but only for what is best for the flock and with self-denial gladly offer everything for the eternal well-being of the Church! They are their leaders, but not their lords. They are God’s servants, they have their office from Him, but they serve the congregation and are consumed with its edification. They go ahead of the people in every good work and lead them in the fight against deceit and sin, but they consider themselves the least and set a good example of meekness for all. God grant us such shepherds of souls! But let the congregations not put themselves in the judgment seat over the pastors we have! Let them submit to the elders, for they are in God’s stead.
Note God’s Word: “Submit yourselves to your elders,” and “be clothed with humility!” Pray heartily about this for one another! We have grace for this in God’s Word and promises. Make use of this grace. Each day become less in your own eyes! O how this is needed in our time! Pride and lust for power now rush in on us as never before. All of you, be submissive to one another, all of you, and be clothed with humility, adorn yourselves with humility! Let this be done! Let it be done for Jesus’ sake! Only in this way can we come to wear the imperishable crown of glory.
Closing Prayer
Give us Your Holy Spirit for this, merciful God. Pour out Christ’s love in our hearts and give us His gentle attitude. Amen.
Hymn
Come, ye Christians, brave the weather,
Courage take from God above,
Like a phalanx stand together,
Being one in faith and love.
Keep ye Jesus ever near
And His holy name revere,
Help and strengthen one another
Ev’ry selfish thought to smother.
It is time we should be starting,
Death is swiftly drawing nigh;
Time, that we should be departing
For a place with Christ on high.
Take His cross and start today,
All who dare not risk delay;
Come while yet the chance is given,
Who will join the throng to heaven?
Brorson: Hvo vil med til Himmerige L 461:8-9 HCH 174:4-5 tr. P. C. Paulsen;
tune: Freu dich sehr (ELH 593 or use HCH 174); alternate hymn: I know that my Redeemer ELH 373