Seeds for 06/26/2024 - 1 Peter 5:5
Scripture:
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
Observation:
First, in 5:1-4, Peter speaks to the elders, instructing them to watch over their flock with care from a willing, honest, humble, servant heart. Now, he turns to those who are younger and says, “In the same way.” There is a deep mutuality woven into the church’s relationships. Peter’s command to the younger members to “submit yourselves to your elders,” is on the heels of expanded instructions to those same elders about the proper actions and motivations they should have to care for their congregation.
Next, Peter says, “All of you.” This underscores that commitment to mutuality in their relationships. Even as Peter wants the church to value and respect the contribution of elders, they no less than those younger are to “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.”
So, the young are valued for their contributions and elders are valued for theirs. But neither is lifted up at the diminishment of the other. Both relate to one another with mutual appreciation.
What is the basis for this two-way street of humility in Christian relationships? It is the wisdom of the Word of God. The quotation is from Proverbs 3:34. Pride is a problem; humility is the posture of the godly. Humility is the only way to receive the grace of God because only the humble person is able to admit his or her need. So that humility before God is to spill over into our relationships with others too.
Humility is so esteemed by God that it’s how He chose to enter the world. Jesus descended from heaven to earth and humbled Himself in obedience to the Father in order to obtain our salvation. And that humility is what we are called to as well. If it was God’s way, then it is to be our way too. Honest and humble leadership from elders to the church. Humble deference and submission from the younger to their elders.
Finally, I love the analogy of getting dressed. Peter tells his readers, “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.” Humility toward one another is definitely a disposition of the heart. But the analogy allows us to recognize humility as a practice. Humility is something that we do, not only something that we feel. This means that we don’t need to wait until we feel humble. Instead we can try it on and practice acting like we are humble before we feel it.
Application:
What is one action that embodies humility that you can practice this week with people nearest you?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, show me when and with whom I can act humbly, thereby giving them an experience of the humble servant love of Jesus. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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