OUR PATTERN SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly; not for dishonest gain but eagerly, not as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being EXAMPLES to the flock – 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NKJV)

Our GOOD Shepherd (Jh.10:11) and GREAT Shepherd (Heb.13:20) is also the CHIEF Shepherd (1Pet.5:4). Being the Chief Shepherd infers being the Exemplary, Model, or Pattern Shepherd, the Shepherd of shepherds, the Shepherd above all shepherds, and the Shepherd without an equal! Peter in his first epistle appears passionate to unveil the entire spectrum of Christ’s Life and Ministry: His sinless life (2:22); suffering and death (2:23-24; 3:18; 5:1); resurrection (3:21-22); ascension and exaltation (3:22); and His Second Coming (5:4). He went on to highlight six significant Names of Christ as: a spotless Lamb (1:19); the Chief Cornerstone (2:6); the precious Stone (2:7); the stumbling Stone; the Bishop of our souls (2:25); and the Chief Shepherd (5:4). Interestingly, three of these relate to shepherding: Lamb, Bishop, and Chief Shepherd.

Who could better introduce the Chief Shepherd than him who had received that rare ministry from the Lord (Jh.21:15-17)? Here, he refers to himself as apostle (1:1), an elder, a witness, and a partaker (5:1). In other words, he was an exemplary under-shepherd following the Chief Shepherd, and encouraging others to do likewise. In portraying the Lord Jesus as the Model Shepherd, Peter states the shepherd’s responsibilities: to feed – tend, guide, and guard – the flock of God; to do this eagerly and willingly; to do this humbly; and to be an exemplary pattern for God’s flock, not lords over the flock (5:1-3). He then presents Christ as the Chief, Model or Pattern Shepherd! There are no two chief shepherds. Every other shepherd is an “under-shepherd,” ultimately accountable to the Chief Shepherd.

Remember: “WHEN the Chief Shepherd appears…”! Not IF, but WHEN. The Chief Shepherd is the One we are expecting to APPEAR, our soon-coming KING. The Chief Shepherd will come with crowns of glory, to reward every under-shepherd who follows His Pattern. This is one of at least five possible rewards a believer may receive, namely: the incorruptible crown (1Cor.9:25-27); crown of rejoicing (1The.2:19-20); crown of life (Jam.1:12; Rev.2:10); crown of righteousness (2Tim.4:8); and crown of glory (2Tim.4:1-2; 1Pet.5:2-4). It behoves us therefore, to walk humbly in the Light of His Word, after His Example, Pattern, and Model. He cares to bear our burdens. He is committed to directing and defending our destinies, if we commit to consistently follow in His Steps.