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: (2) 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; (3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. (4) And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
There is somewhat very affecting in the Apostle's account of himself; at the opening of this Chapter, in that he calls himself an Elder, and a Witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. We feel the expressions the more, because it is impossible but to connect with them our knowledge of what Jesus hath said to Peter, signifying what death he should die; and now behold the aged Apostle drawing nigh the time, John 21:19. The Reader will not overlook, with what delight the hoary saint mentions his being a witness of Christ's sufferings, and a partaker in all the communicable parts of Christ's glory. And I mention this the rather, because it is one of the great points of faith. Men of a yea and nay gospel may, and indeed cannot but be, halting between two opinions. The peradventure life, must be a peradventure death. But not so the truly regenerated and faithful. Our father's names would not have been handed down to us with such honorable testimony, had they so lived, and so died. Instead of being to us a cloud of witnesses, they would then have proved as the wife of Lot, pillars of salt: Hebrews 12:1; Genesis 19:28. Reader! do not too hastily pass this by, I say, and the word of God will bear me out in what I say, it is the faith of God's elect, to know the truth, and the truth to make them free, John 8:31-32. And, wherever God the Holy Ghost hath savingly called any of his children by grace, they are supposed to be justified freely, to have daily access in the grace wherein they stand, and to rejoice in hope of the glory of God, Romans 5:1-45. Hence Paul founded his confidence, Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Hence John his, 1 John 5:19-20. And hence Peter his. A witness for Christ, and having a sure hope of being a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.
I hardly think it necessary to remark to the Reader, how much the words of Christ were in the mind of Peter, since he useth almost the same words which Jesus did to him, in recommending the most endeared attention to Christ's flock, John 21:16 etc. It would form the substance of a distinct volume, to shew what may be supposed to be implied under the expression, of feeding Christ's Church, which is called his flock, and in how many ways it is capable of being performed. Feeding is a comprehensive term, for the whole service of the ministry. To watch over the flock, to know their persons, have an acquaintance with their spiritual state and circumstances, to administer ordinances, to go in and out before the fold, to visit the sick, to comfort those that mourn, to pray with the people, and to pray for them; and, like Jesus himself, whose glorious example they are supposed to have always in view, to bear as our Great High Priest doth, the whole sheep-fold in the arms of faith and love before the throne, and watch in prayer for kind answers of peace; these are among the daily ordinary employments of the ministry. And, he that knows or considers the arduous and difficult nature of the employment would rather shrink from the call, than run unsent. To engage in it for filthy lucre sake must argue the most insensible mind, or the most hardened. And, as to the idea of rank and dignity in temporal distinction from the office; never, surely, could the Apostles of Christ have conceived the possibility of such a thing, who when receiving ordination from their Bishop, were taught to expect nothing but obloquy and reproach from men, for their services; and whose general precept was, when persecuted in one city, to flee to another, Matthew 10:23. Neither (saith he) being lords over God's heritage. The Lord's heritage or portion is his people: (we read, Deuteronomy 32:9.) Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. And a most gracious instance of condescending love it is, in the Lord to consider his Church, his fold, in so endearing a manner. He is, indeed, the Lord of it. But it is a perversion of names, to talk of any other lord over it, among men, whose highest dignity, when found faithful, is to be servants to the household of faith, for Jesus's sake, 2 Corinthians 4:5
The crown of glory the Apostle speaks of which the under pastors in the fold are to receive, when the Chief Shepherd shall appear; must not be considered under the idea of reward. All is of grace, free, rich, unmerited grace. And, indeed, if the Reader carefully observes the Apostle's words he will find, that nothing like a recompense is mentioned. The highest and best servant in the Lord's house, whether Apostles, Prophets, or Evangelists, Pastors, or Teachers, have no claim to reward: yea, from the multitude of errors and neglects which have mingled with their best performances, need pardon for all. And very blessedly Jesus hath taught as much, in one of his beautiful discourses: Which of you (said Christ) having a servant plowing, or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go, and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink. Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all these things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do, Luke 17:7-10. Who that reads this statement of Christ with an understanding heart, will evermore talk of rewards from the Lord for services? But, on the other hand, who that reads what the same Lord hath said by his servant the Prophet, of neglect in the office of the ministry, and is conscious of coming under such an awful character, but must tremble for the eventual consequences? See Ezekiel 34:1 throughout.
Great Shepherd of thy blood-bought sheep! What a relief is it to the mind of thy most diligent under-pastors in thy fold, that amidst all the negligence, and wretched services of men, thy flock shall not, in a single instance, be overlooked, or go unfed, of God. Jesus himself will feed his flock like a Shepherd! He himself is, and will be their pasture. He saith himself, Behold I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out! Lamb of God! that art in the midst of the throne, do as thou hast said! Look on all thy fold here below. Surely they are equally dear to thee, everyone of them, with those that are above. And, as they are in a wilderness, they need thy care. Shortly the chief Shepherd will appear, and unite the whole in one beautiful flock, Jeremiah 13:20. And they shall then pass again under the hand of him that telleth them, Jeremiah 33:13.