The Kingdom trade is sacrifice. We exchange this sacrificial love for souls salvaged from this dying world. So long as we keep our attention focused on this business, everything else takes care of itself. So we ensure this primary business of ours manifests in everything we do.
To the ruling elders of the Jewish churches to whom he writes, Peter appeals as a fellow elder. He also reminds them he was there when Christ wept in the Garden, when He faced the kangaroo court, and watched the execution of the Savior. Peter saw that sacrifice up close and personal. He also saw the glory of the resurrected Lord, and knew beyond all knowing that glory will one day return to this earth. Upon this ground stands Peter as he appeals to the ruling elders to sacrifice in their care for the flock. The roles of elder and pastor are not so clearly cut as to forget: Everyone who leads is a shepherd for at least that moment, walking in the footprints of the Good Shepherd. This is a powerful image of one who allows the sheep to wander at wide across the pasture, keeping an eye from afar, acting only when there is real danger. Sheep do not pasture well all huddled together where they are easily controlled. Jews of the First Century were not known for leading with a light hand, but this was the nature of the calling for elders and pastors.
This wasn't simply a job, a career with promotion potential, but a blessed opportunity to give even more. A real shepherd leads by inspiring sacrifice, not by fleshly power and authority. What glory will it be if we lead the sheep as the Good Shepherd leads us!
Jews of that era had also nearly forgotten in their synagogues the noble calling of discipleship. They had absorbed the Westernized view of internship and apprenticeship, with degrees and privilege, not the same thing at all. A disciple is silent and busies himself with mundane tasks so as to free the elder to pay more attention to larger matters. He silently absorbs the words, actions, and whole manner of his master. This is not to copy and emulate, but to understand in that place where words cannot bear the load, and to find his own burning cause and calling for leadership in his turn.
So it is the entire congregation strives to sacrifice more fully for each other, regardless of roles and titles. The privilege is in the service, and Our Lord was the greatest Servant of all. We can be sure Peter never forgot the burning lesson behind Jesus washing his feet. Setting aside everything we think we have and think we are, we let God redefine our place in this world. Indeed, we hardly consider that place of any importance, because we are too eager to be in our place in that Other Realm.
Eagerly seeking the chance to do good for others, we are sharp and attentive to their needs. Satan is an old and toothless lion, having only his roar, and he hopes to inspire fear and petty selfishness, so that we lay down at his feet to be devoured. All his roaring is mere noise, and persecution is the same. Deafen yourself to it; pay no attention and remember someone in Christ somewhere near is surely suffering even worse. You'll need to be strong for them and with them. Before you know it, the tribulation will be past. If He doesn't call you home, He'll surely make you stronger in this life than the very bedrock of the mountains themselves. Such is His power over all things in this world.
Peter closes, noting Silvanus (AKA Silas) is the bearer of this letter and can be trusted as the very messenger of God. Those who receive the letter should not doubt it comes from Peter, but embrace it as they would Peter himself. He writes from Rome, cryptically referred to as Babylon, a common symbol used during the persecution. We note John used it, too. Of course, Mark was there, having already written his Gospel which he learned from Peter. We are hardly surprised when Peter calls him his son, a Hebrew term for one's better disciples. He counsels they greet each other with the elaborate Eastern greetings too easily forgotten in Western lands.
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By Ed Hurst
17 September 2011
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