196. Thursday after Second Sunday after Easter.
Holy Spirit of God, give us ardent
love in our hearts. Amen.
1 Peter 5, 1-5. The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder: yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
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They whom God has ordained elders and overseers in the churches, that is to say ministers of the word, shall “feed the flock of God.” This calling of pastor is glorious; but it is one of great responsibility; for they shall render an account of the souls to the Lord, who bought them with his blood. Love is the great prince to whom everything belongs, and to whom all owe allegiance, and love alone can make the true pastor. The hireling has no care for the sheep. If God has ordained us overseers of the flock, and has given us love for his sheep, we are as careful of them as though they were our own. We willingly take the oversight of them, and care for them with joy and delight as for the beloved of Jesus Christ, whom he has bought with a price. If we in faith know his suffering, and in hope know his glory, we love him, and love the souls which he has redeemed with his blood and committed to our care. But how small is the number of the elders who take no thought of worldly gain, but solely of the welfare of the flock; and who in self-denying love gladly sacrifice everything for the eternal weal of the souls committed to their charge! Such pastors are the leaders of the church, not its rulers; they are the servants of God, who has placed them in their office; but they serve the church, and in the work of building it up they consume their strength. They are at the front in every good work, and lead the people in their battle with falsehood and sin; but they regard themselves as being the least of all, and to all they are an example in humility. God give us pastors of this class! At the same time, the congregations are not to sit in supercilious judgment on the pastors whom we have. Let them submit to the elders; for these are ministers in God’s stead. Note that the word of God says: “Submit to the elders,” and “be clothed with humility.” Pray earnestly for one another that you may do this! We have the necessary grace to do so in the word and promises of God. Make use of this grace, and become every day less in your own eyes! This admonition is especially needful in our day. Pride and the desire to be lord over others assail us with more persistence than ever before. Now, let all submit to one another, all to one another! and let all be clothed and adorned with humility! May this admonition be followed, for Jesus’ sake! Thus only can we expect to receive the crown of glory, that fadeth not away. — Give us to this end thy Holy Spirit, merciful God. Pour out the love of Christ into our hearts, and give us his spirit of humility. Amen.
O thou that hear’st when sinners cry,
Though all my crimes before thee lie,
Behold them not with angry look,
But blot their memory from thy book.
O may thy love inspire my tongue;
Salvation shall be all my song,
And all my powers shall join to bless
The Lord, my strength and righteousness.