Get Real November 20 Devotional

1 PETER 5:1-2 | ¹Now 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 ² to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it, not for sordid gain but eagerly.

Real humility is also related to the roles and assignments God gives us as parents, friends, mentors, ambassadors, healers, etc. In this passage, the apostle Peter, leader of the Jerusalem church, rock of the early movement, describes himself as an elder. The elder role has a humbling history. Moses appointed elders to share the leadership burden in Numbers 11:16-30. Elders were friends to the prophets, as we see in 2 Kings 6:32, advisors to kings (1 Kings 20:8), and administrators of national affairs. They dispensed justice in towns and villages at “the gates.” Much of the supreme court of Judaism, the Sanhedrin, consisted of elders. In the Revelation view of the heavenly realm, there are 24 elders around the throne. Paul ordained elders in every community in which he preached and every church he established. They had a key role at the council of Jerusalem that allowed Gentiles full participation in the church. Elders in the New Testament were overseers of the flock, defenders of the faith, and in James 5:14 exercised a healing ministry. Leadership in the church is an awesome task.

Pray for the 18 Elders of our church.

Gracious God,

Thank You for women and men willing to humbly take on the leadership of Your community. Bless them with wisdom, imagination, intelligence, and love.

Amen.