Bible Passage: 1 Peter 5:1-4
Pastor: Joel Jenswold
Sermon Date: July 6, 2025

Bulletin – July 6, 2025

In the name of, and to the eternal glory of, Jesus,

In the final verse of our text today, Jesus is called the Chief Shepherd (v. 4).  He is the main Shepherd, the head Shepherd, the primary Shepherd.  And of course, he is.  He is the Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep.  He is the Shepherd who makes us lie down by quiet waters, who leads us in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake, who is with us and takes away our fears when we go through the valley of the shadow of death.  He is the one who gives us life, life to the full. (John 10)  In every way he is the preeminent Protector and Provider.  He is in every way the Good and the Chief Shepherd.

But calling Jesus the “Chief” Shepherd suggests there are other shepherds.  “Lesser” shepherds, if you will.  “Undershepherds.”  Peter, the apostle and author of our text, was an undershepherd of the Chief Shepherd.   We can think back to that post-resurrection walk Jesus took with Peter beside the Sea of Galilee.  In that conversation, Jesus told Peter, Feed my lambs (John 21:15)…Take care of my sheep (John 21:16)…Feed my sheep (John 21:17).  From these words it is clear that Jesus was talking to Peter as though he were a shepherd!

But Peter wasn’t the last and only person Jesus called to be a shepherd.  Throughout the New Testament age, the Chief and Good Shepherd has cared for his flock on earth by providing an unbroken chain of shepherds to provide soul-care for his sheep.  It is but further evidence of the great love the Chief Shepherd has for you, his flock.  Our text today is The Chief Shepherd’s (Jesus’) Instructions to a Shepherd (Peter) for Shepherds (Pastors).

 Peter, the shepherd, is writing this section of his letter to shepherds.  He doesn’t call them shepherds.  He calls them elders (v. 1).  I appeal to the elders among you.  Elder is an old synagog word.  It is a word that carries with it reverence and respect for the spiritual leader.  Today we call such leaders in the church “pastors.”  And the word “pastor” literally means “shepherd.”

Shepherd Peter gets to the “shepherd” talk in the next thing he says.  Shepherd God’s flock that is among you. (v. 2)  This is a beautiful thing!  What the Chief Shepherd wants for you is that you be “shepherded.”  Jesus did not intend the spiritual care of the Church to be done by “chief executive officers” or “chief operating officers” or “managers” or “coaches.”  He wanted his Church, he wanted his flock to be served by people who were mini, lesser versions of what he himself is!  Shepherds!  Men who would feed and lead with Word and Sacrament.

There is something quite interesting about the instructions Peter gives to the shepherds.  The instructions he gives are not so much about “what” to do as shepherds.  It really focuses on “how” to serve as shepherd.  Serving as overseers, not grudgingly but willingly as God desires, not because you are greedy for money but because you are eager to do it.  Do not lord it over those entrusted to your care, but be examples for the flock. (v. 2-4)

Imagine for a moment a “shepherd,” a pastor, who embodies the negative qualities Peter describes.  Imagine a pastor who grudgingly unlocks the church door each morning.  He wonders why he ever chose this profession to begin with.  Dad and Grandpa were both pastors so he kind of felt like he “had” to be a pastor, too.  He occasionally wonders what “might have been” had he entered another profession.  He remembers that he has two counseling sessions scheduled that day and a meeting that evening.  Ugh!  It’s going to be a long day.  But a thought momentarily cheers him.  It’s payday!  Yes!  He is compensated well.  He even thinks, “If it weren’t for this paycheck, I wouldn’t do this!  I should ask for a raise.”  He sits down at his desk.  First thing on his schedule for the day is a call to the congregation’s chairman.  He wants to inform him of some changes he is going to make to worship.  He thinks to himself, “I know some people aren’t going to like these changes, but so what?  They’ll get over it!”    “Oh!” he remembers.  “And I should bring up that raise!”   You want to be served by this pastor?  Jesus doesn’t want you to be served by this man, either!

Here is what the Chief Shepherd wants for you.  A pastor who serves willingly as God desires…because you are eager to do it.  (v. 2)  To the man who says, “I really don’t want to be a pastor,” Jesus says, “Then don’t be a pastor, really.”  Jesus wants shepherds whose hearts have been made eager to serve by the eagerness of Jesus to serve and save us!  Jesus wants shepherds who smile when they unlock the church doors each morning.  Jesus wants pastors who love him and love his people!  Jesus wants pastors who are examples to the flock.  Examples of repentance.  Not perfect men.  But men who strive to live the virtues they preach.

Jesus wants pastors who stand in a long line of faithful shepherds who do what Peter did.  Peter described himself as a witness of the sufferings of Christ (v. 1).   This is priority #1 for shepherds!  Be Christ’s witness!  Give, feed, the people Christ!  Not a clean, bloodless Jesus.  But the Christ who suffered and died.  The one who died for sheep who love to wander.   The one who rose to give them life, life that never ends, life to the full.

That’s why this is important!  Peter mentions in our text the glory that is about to be revealed (v. 1).  This will happen when the Chief Shepherd appears.  Then the faithful will receive an unfading crown of glory. (v. 4)  THAT is why there is the ministry!  That is why there are pastors!  That through the preaching of the sufferings, death, and resurrection of Jesus, people may be ready for Jesus’ appearance in glory, and faithful people, and their pastors, might receive the crown that never fades.  So pray.  Pray that Jesus would spare the Church from grouchy, greedy, “overlord” pastors.   Pray for this pastor.  Pray for more pastors.  And pray that Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, would bless the Church with true, faithful, humble “shepherds.”

Amen.