1 Peter 5 - Why Casting is Not Just for Fishing!

Click Here to Read or Listen to 1 Peter 5

To the Elders and the Flock

5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Peter and Paul appointed elders in the churches that were planted in the 1st century. The word comes from the Greek word, "presbuteros", which means "overseer". It is the same word from which we get the term "bishop".  

The idea of the elder came into church life from Jewish culture (Exodus 3:16, 12:21, and 19:7). The word “elder” simply speaks of the maturity and wisdom that an older person should have, making them qualified for leadership. In its application, it is more about wisdom and maturity than a specific age. - Guzik

Peter points out qualities elders should have the role they should play. He also calls them "shepherd". The word "shepherd" is the same word for "pastor". Jesus was a shepherd of his disciples. The main goal of a shepherd was to care for and protect their sheep both physically and spiritually. Jesus told the story of a good shepherd, who left his 99 sheep to find the one sheep who he had lost. Jesus for the Good Shepherd who was willing to lay his life down for his sheep.  Peter calls Jesus the Chief Shepherd, who will reward all faithful shepherds when he returns. 

The first characteristic Peter points out is that they would be "willing" to watch over their flock. Their care for their sheep was borne out of their love for them. God wants shepherds to have this attitude. If they don't, they are probably in the wrong calling. 

A shepherd should not be in it for the money. We don't know how elders were paid, or how they might be dishonest, but because Peter points it out so it must have been relevant. The opposite of serving for money is to serve the Lord. The heart of the pastor should be the heart of a servant imitating Jesus, who was a servant even to death on a cross. 

Finally, an elder must be an example to the flock. Their own lives should be alignment with what they are teaching the people. It is not "do what I say", but "do what I do." Jesus never asked his disciples to do anything he wasn't willing to do. A pastor's credibility and trust with their congregation is largely based on do they practice what they preach? 

Peter ends by promising a reward faithful shepherds will receive. When Jesus returns, they will receive a crown that never fades away. Earthly riches fade away, but our labor for the Lord will earn us an eternal reward. If we keep our minds on this, the sufferings and irritation we face as pastors are put in a proper perspective.  

Although we usually associate elders with pastors, their are others who function as elders. There are other members in the church who provide leadership and direction in church. There are other people other than the pastor who can teach, lead small groups, and disciple others one on one. In fact, it is a pastor's job to equip the body to be disciples who make disciples. This should be the first priority of any pastor. 

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Next, Paul talks about the importance of humility. Those who are younger should submit to the older and more mature believers. In relationships within the body humility is the "modus operandi". As Paul says in Philippians, 2:4,  "Each of you should think not only your interests but the interests of others."

"Humility is demonstrated by submission. It is the ability to cheerfully put away our own agenda for God’s, even if God’s agenda is expressed through another person." - Guzik  

Verse 7 is a great verse. Peter knew their suffering would create anxiety. He encouraged them to give it directly to the Lord. Why? Because the Lord cared for them. Sometimes we carry around our anxiety rather than casting it on the Lord. The word "casting" carries with it significance, 

"Casting is a rather energetic word. He didn’t say, “Lay all your care upon Him,” because we have to do it more energetically than that. The idea is, “throw it away from you.” The pressures and the burdens of your life are so heavy and difficult that it takes great concentration of effort to put them on Jesus." - Guzik

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Part of the reason they are suffering is because of the work of the evil one, the devil. Peter says, "Make no mistake about it, you have a target on your back. There is nothing more important than the evil one than to devour Christians! He is always looking for Christians he can devour!" 

But, we have a power which is greater than he that is in the world. We can resist the devil by standing firm in the faith. Our faith is our strongest weapon we can use to fight the temptations of the devil. Why? Faith is trust in God. The ultimate goal of the devil is to destroy our faith, because he knows that because of our faith we are going to be saved. We are going to spend eternity in heaven, while the devil will be thrown into a lake of fire forever. 

The sufferings the believers are undergoing through are similar in the fact that the devil is orchestrating these attacks. Not all suffering is a direct result of the devil, as we bring some of it on ourselves. But you can see at the heart of persecution is the devil acting in the minds and hearts of those who hate Christianity. 

Final Greetings

12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Silas apparently helped Peter to write this epistle. This perhaps explains why stylistically it is so well written. This is the same Silas who was a friend of Paul's and showed up in many of his letters. 

Who is she who is Babylon? This is probably not an individual person. Babylon was a literal city which was a very powerful nation and played a role in Israel's history. In 586 B.C., the Babylonians overthrew Jerusalem and demolished the temple. Babylon in Revelation is referred to the great whore. Babylon symbolized evil, so it is odd that this was either a metaphor used in a positive way. 

She probably refers to the church, which in the ancient Greek is in the feminine. Peter apparently wrote from Babylon. This may be the literal city of Babylon (which still existed in Peter’s day), or it may be a symbolic way of referring to either Rome or Jerusalem. These were two cities that in Peter’s day were famous for their wickedness and spiritual rebellion, just like ancient Babylon was. In any regard, this was one church greeting another. - Guzik 

Mark, who Peter calls his son, was a companion of Peter's. Many people think this is the same Mark who wrote the gospel of Mark. 

When the style and perspective of the Gospel of Mark are taken into account, many believe that Peter was Mark’s primary source of information for his gospel.

I love the way Paul ends this letter. He says to greet each other with a kiss of love. Obviously this is not a romantic kiss, but one showing the love we have for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. The apostle Paul also said sometimes, "Greet each other with a holy kiss!" 

Where do you need to cast your cares on God? Where do you need to resist the devil with faith? Who has God called you to shepherd or influence as a disciple of Christ in your life?