One of the most difficult times in my life happened over 25 years ago. To be honest I would rather forget most of that time. But one thing I remember with great appreciation was a letter I received from the Principal of Ridley College who was working for at the time. I didn’t even know that he knew what was happening in my life. After all, he was away in England for six months on study leave. But when I opened the letter in just a few words he made it clear that even though he was halfway around the world he was concerned for me. In fact, he could easily have said it wasn’t his responsibility at the time because it really wasn’t!
And you know his letter didn’t say much. He began by quoting Scott Peck: Sometimes “Life is difficult” (The Road Less Travelled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth). He said that he was praying for me. And he thanked me for the work I was doing and said that it was important to God and valued by my colleagues and students. Just a few words but they meant the world to me. Is there someone that we could be giving that sort of encouragement to this week?
I don’t know about you, but I think that’s the kind of letter Peter was writing here – even though he was writing to a group of churches rather than just one individual. Notice how he finishes his letter:
- 12: I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
It seems to me that Peter has written a very personal letter. It is easy to miss this in the earlier chapters, but in chapter 5 it really stands out. Peter knows that the churches in exile are not finding it easy. And we feel, don’t we, that he is really speaking to them from his heart: “I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.”
In today’s reading from John’s Gospel, we heard about the extraordinary way in which Jesus restored Peter to leadership among God’s people after Peter had publicly denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion (see John 21:15-17).
Three times Jesus asked him: “Simon (Peter’s birth name), do you love me?”
Three times Peter replied: “Yes, Lord. You know that I love you.”
Three times Jesus told him: “Tend my sheep.” “Feed my lambs.”
I’m sure Peter never forgot that experience. Would you? That’s the Peter who is writing here, isn’t it? The same Peter who learned humility and hope from Jesus through his experience of failure followed by restoration to a position of responsibility.
One of the things about Peter’s letter is that it’s not just what Peter says but how he says it that is important. In his letter Peter has given the churches an example of how to do the things he is writing about. His letter has humility and hope written all over it – no joke intended! Notice the way he introduces himself in verse 1:
- 1-2: Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge …
What does Peter tell them about himself? He says that he was a witness to the suffering Jesus experienced for him and for them. Peter can speak to their situation because he can personally witness to the fact that Jesus has been there. And, as we have seen again and again over the past few weeks, as a witness to the resurrection of Christ Peter can witness with confidence to the future return of Jesus. If Jesus came back from the dead (and Peter saw him!), he will come back for the churches in exile, and he will come back for the church in Taroona!
In v. 5 goes on to talk about the character of Christian life. How did you choose clothes to wear this morning? Did you try on half a dozen different outfits, or did you just pick something off the floor that wasn’t too crumpled? Here Peter uses here the same symbolism of “putting on clothing” to describe Christian life:
And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’
Paul uses the same symbolism in his letter to the Colossians, chapter 3, verse 12:
As God’s chosen one’s, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another and if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.
What Peter taught to the churches in Turkey, Paul taught to the churches in Greece! It obviously spoke to the first Christians. Our clothes are often the first thing people see about us. Many people on the fashion industry would like it to be the only thing people see about us. And a lot of people form an impression of us because of what we wear. But Peter wants people’s first impression of the churches to be one of humility, and the second impression, and the third impression, and every impression after that.
But how are we to “clothe ourselves with humility” as Peter says in verse 5? How are we to “humble ourselves”, as in verse 6? Actually, verse 6 is better translated, “Allow yourselves to be humbled.”
Peter has already begun explaining this to the “elders” in v. 1-4. Then in v. 5 he speaks to “you who are younger.” And finally in v. 5-9 his words are to “all of you.” What Peter says to the elders is what Jesus said to him:
Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, said to Peter: “Tend my sheep” [or “shepherd my sheep”].
Peter says to the elders: “Tend the flock of God.” The same message!
Then Peter makes three contrasts between caring for people “as God would have you do it” (v. 2) and the alternative – letting the Devil “devour” the churches by using other people for their own ends (v. 2-3):
1) Not under compulsion BUT willingly” (as the NRSV translation puts it), or,
“Not because you have to, but because you want to please God” (as it says in The Message).
2) Not for sordid gain BUT eagerly”, or
“Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously.”
3) Do not lord it over those in you charge BUT be examples to the flock, or
“Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.”
In v. 5 Peter has a message for those of us who are “younger”: “you who are younger must accept the authority of elders.” He doesn’t mean blindly accepting every word we say, especially if it contradicts God’s Word. But Peter is saying that just because someone isn’t on TikTok doesn’t mean we haven’t got something to teach you.
Finally, Peter encourages “all of you”, all of us, to “clothe ourselves with humility in our dealings with one another.”
6-9: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.”
Peter is a person who knows about failure in the face of persecution. He publicly denied Jesus three times because of the accusations of a slave. But he promises in v. 9-11 that,
- 9-11: And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
In Christ God will “restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.” Isn’t that exactly what had happened to Peter himself?
- Peter wants us to take his letter personally.
- Peter wants us to see ourselves as people who like him will be restored, supported, strengthened, and established by God.
- And every morning Peter wants us to put on the clothes that fit people who share his hope in Christ.
As we conclude, can I encourage you to write a letter this week, or to send an email or a text to or call someone to encourage them.