-December 20, 2024-
Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
(1 Peter 5:4).
Today is the fifth and final crown of believers in Christ. As we have seen there is the Imperishable Crown, the Crown of Rejoicing, the Crown of Life, the Crown of Righteousness, and today we will study the Crown of Glory.
I trust that these meditations have been helpful and encouraging to everyone. I know I have been blessed by them. One day when we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, we will receive our crowns and rewards from our Lord Jesus Christ, whom Peter calls the Chief Shepherd. Our Savior is the threefold Shepherd: the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us the sheep (John 10:11); the Great Shepherd who was raised from the dead, having shed His blood (Hebrews 13:20-21); and the Chief Shepherd who will come again (1 Peter 5:4).
When someone is a chief, he is the head, the leader, the man in charge. 1 Peter 2:25 says of Jesus, “For you were like sheep going astray, but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
When Jesus appears, He will come with His rewards with Him. Near the end of Revelation 22, Jesus tells John, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).
The Crown of Glory is for the faithful elders in our local churches who shepherd the flock. Jesus told Peter in John 21:15-17, “Feed My lambs” (v. 15); “Tend My sheep” (v.16); and “Feed My sheep” (v. 17). Peter carried on this work the rest of his life with love, compassion, joy, and patience.
The leaders of the local church are elders (in the spiritual work) and deacons in the physical work). It is a great work, especially by the elders who teach, counsel, encourage, discipline, reprove, and rebuke. They will have to give an account of their ministry. Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey those who rule (or lead you), and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give an account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”’
Jesus is the Shepherd, the elders are under shepherds. It is a huge responsibility that carries with it tremendous accountability. Though this crown is for elders, we should all strive to be faithful to our Chief Shepherd in all that we do and say.
Have a blessed day following our Shepherd and helping others in their walk. Stay safe and healthy.
Faithful service today, leads to future rewards in glory.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 