Sermon: Wittenberg Academy – Dec 3, 2024

3 Dec 2024

Text: 1 Pet 5:1-14

In the name of + Jesus.  Amen.

St. Peter closes his first epistle by appealing to the “elders,” that is, the men who hold the pastoral office.  And Peter claims the authority to “exhort the elders” among his readers not only because Peter is himself a “fellow elder,” but also a “witness of the sufferings of Christ.”  Peter has apostolic authority, and is not shy in reminding us of it.  The elders are to “shepherd the flock of God.”  The word “pastor” is Latin for “shepherd,” and emphasizes the way that the elder leads.  He has authority, “exercising oversight,” and yet is not to be “domineering.”  He is to carry out his responsibility in the way of the “Chief Shepherd,” that is, our Lord Jesus Christ, as “examples to the flock.”  The elder shepherds rather than coerces, making use of both Law and Gospel according to circumstance. 

The elder may not be old in terms of physical age.  But he is an elder by virtue of his office.  Therefore, those under his care must be “subject to the elders,” as if they were chronologically younger.  For there is a temptation for older people to look down on a younger pastor (Paul raises this issue with Timothy (1 Tim 4:12).  The church’s description of him as “elder” – regardless of his age – indicates how we are to regard our pastors.  The word “senator” is the Latin version of the Greek word translated as “elder.”  A Roman senator could be as young as thirty, but he was to be seen as a father of the family that is the nation.  The elder of the church, the pastor, holds a similar office, one that is a supernatural blessing to the congregation – assuming that both pastor and people are looking to Christ and not to their own interests.

“Humble yourselves, therefore,” says the apostle.  This applies to all Christians regardless of their vocations in church and society, because God “cares for you.”  And because of this, dear friends, St. Peter closes his letter with a stern dose of reality – which is especially fitting during this time of Advent as we wait and watch for our Lord’s coming: “Be sober-minded,” says the apostle, “be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

And while it is easy for churches to refuse to subject themselves to pastors, and for pastors to become domineering, for the focus to drift from Christ and the kingdom toward ourselves and our little fiefdoms of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh – it is Satan who benefits from such division.  We must constantly remind ourselves of St. Peter’s words, even memorizing them:  “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”  And in resisting the devil, in serving the Chief Shepherd, in living in the kingdom of grace – we will suffer.  But “after you have suffered a little while,” says Peter, “the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 

This prophetic word was penned by Peter, but it is, and remains, an ironclad promise inspired by the Holy Spirit.  It is a trustworthy pledge from the Triune God Himself.  And St. Peter – the fisherman who became a fisher of men, the chief apostle, and one who will himself die upon a cross for the sake and confession of the Crucified One – closes this part of his letter that is really more sermon than epistle with a doxology – even as all of our prayers should acknowledge the glory of God: “To Him be the dominion forever and ever.”

Amen.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.