Leadership through Discipleship #3

Peter – The Power of Submission
Leading by Loving, Shepherding by Feeding

“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3).

In one of the last times Jesus was with the disciples before His ascension he prepared a breakfast of fish and bread by the lake. After they had dined, Jesus asked Peter a question three times, “Do you love me?” Each time Peter responded positively and Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” Many sermons and speculations have tried to address the importance of the questions and the answers provided in this setting. The overarching theme of the scene is, “If you love the Master, you will take care of His sheep.”

Through these repeated questions and instructions Peter got the message. If you love Jesus you will transfer that love to those God places you in authority over. Peter will gain a high profile position in the beginning of the church. He will be the spokesman at Pentecost and have great influence in the early church meetings. The emphasis that Jesus made in that last meeting stayed with him throughout the rest of his ministry. When it came time for Peter to write to the church elders, he addressed them with the same admonition, “Shepherd the flock. Take care of the sheep.” He advised them to serve as overseers, to do so willingly and not be motivated by greed. He cautioned them not to lord over those entrusted to them, but to be examples to the flock.

Peter had learned submission and he taught it to those he mentored, “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’” (1 Peter 5:5). To be a leader, an elder, a father, one must learn the act of submission. When we learn to love God, we will love one another, and care for those in our charge.

True authority in leadership does not come with the exercise of power, or with the fearful obedience of the subjects, but through loving others, caring for their needs, and making sure they are well fed. Paul understood the principle and gave similar instructions to the elders in Ephesus, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Christ loves the church. They are His sheep and they belong to Him. Whatever our leadership roles, may we never forget that the people we lead are highly loved and valued by God. Someday we will answer to Him concerning how we have taken care of what belongs to Him!