A Crown of Glory
The fourth crown that we read of in the New Testament comes from 1 Peter 5:4 and it says this: “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
The crown of glory! And in particular here he seems to be talking to the shepherds of God's people. In the two verses before this one, he's addressing those who look over God's people and care for them - maybe ministers, maybe Sunday school teachers.
Shepherding with Love
But in the end, we're all shepherds caring for his people. Let me ask you, who are you shepherding? Who are you caring for and tending to in your life? Yes, the pastors and ministers in the world are called to care for a flock, a congregation of God's people, but teachers - you are shepherds of those in your classrooms. Business people, you are shepherds of those clients who come across your threshold into your business. Parents, you are shepherds of the lambs that you have been blessed with. And so aunts and uncles, you too care for these little ones as a type of a shepherd figure.
There are people in your life that you have the responsibility of caring for, with the love of Jesus. And you know what it could even just be? A stranger that you see who needs a bit of help. Remember the Good Samaritan who cared for that one that he came across who had been hurt? In a similar way, you can picture a shepherd coming across a hurt sheep and tending to it and bringing it back to health.
Crown of Glory
Friends, we've all got people we can care for. As you consider today the people in your life that God has called you to care for. Remember that when the Chief Shepherd appears, those who've cared in the way that he has cared will receive a wonderful crown of glory from his hands.
