Greetings, this is HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
“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;” 1 Peter 5:2
When Peter commanded to shepherd the flock of God, three arguments at least prompted his injunction.
There was the MEMORY of Christ. His thoughts were travelling back across all the intervening years to a grey morning beside the Sea of Galilee when Jesus said to him: “Tend My sheep.” Yes, I must get the commandment from the Master Himself, His ordination must commission me, His grace must equip me, His Spirit must inspire mine if I am to be a good keeper of the flock, and if I am to pass on the responsibility and the privilege to others.
There was the GRACE of Christ. “Not greedy for money, but eager to serve,” the apostle writes. It had been his manner and habit; for the sake of the Name he had gone forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles, nor yet of the poor Jewish. And surely this free and spontaneous and ungrudging service drew its inspiration from the tender mercy of Him who, though He was rich — yet for our sakes became poor. There is my pattern. There is my high and heavenly standard.
And there was the HOPE of Christ. When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, Peter goes on, you shall receive the crown of glory that will never fade away! I shall see His face; I shall hearken to His commendation; I shall enter into His joy. What an incentive it is to diligence and faithfulness! I must guard and guide the sheep, I must feed the little lambs; for I shall meet Him soon to whom they belong.
These are three mighty arguments indeed.
