Where are your Wounds?

“We will go before God to be judged, and God will ask us, "Where are your wounds? And we will say, "We have not wounds." And God will ask, "Was nothing worth fighting for?" Rev. Allan Boesak, South Africa

This quote seems very appropriate as we round the bend to complete our blogging of 1 Peter. Our journey began on December 3, 2011 today is February 7, 2012. During that time we have visited numerous historic places. We spent a great deal of time with the pre flood generation; we were in a weeping Bethlehem, a liberated India with Gandhi. We contemplated the usefulness of his methods in the prison camps of Europe and came to the conclusion that we are more perpetrator than liberator. Our hearts sank and we called out for mercy. Submission was a reoccurring theme that demonstrated love is the prerequisite to its accomplishment. We quoted from Confucius, Simon and Garfunkel and met a young Aerosmith lyric writer who was feeling old. Plato, George Washington and John Huss helped us understand community and the courage it takes to build one.
The Apostle Peter was and is our guide. He is identified with us and tells us so in his letter.

“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5: 1-3

Peter is not making wide the corners of his garments. He is telling us, “I am with you” more importantly he knew that Christ would be as well. He knew that a life of godliness, submission, and love or a life indentified with the person of Jesus would be a life filled with wounds. He knew that with “much wisdom would come much sorrow”. He knew that he was sending out his flock as sheep among wolves, he knew that they were fighting a malevolent invisible enemy who was seeking those he could devourer. He therefore told his leaders “watch out for them”. Watch out for those who are doing well because they well often grow weary in well doing. Watch out for those who are doing poorly because the cares of this life can become a snare to them. As you watch out for them, do it with your heart, living as they live, walking beside your folk and not in front of your flock. As you watch out for them also remember to watch out for yourself. Don’t let blessings become an entitlement and remember that pay day follows the cemetery and not the seminary.

Be a shepherd. Peter knew the admonishment contained in Ezekiel 33: 7-9. “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.”

Peter was interested in a lot more than just his own salvation. He would ultimately give his life in the service of Jesus, but not before he trained like minded leaders to be filled with a love for the sheep and the love of a good fight for souls and needs of men.