When the Chief Shepherd appears

Read 1 Peter 5:4

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Those who are shepherds of God’s flock (5:2) do that on behalf of Jesus, “the Chief Shepherd”. For all believers, he is “the good shepherd” who laid down his life for us and who knows us and leads us (Jn.10:11,14,27). In all our service for him, he is “that great Shepherd of the sheep” who equips us and who works through us, for his glory (Heb.13:20-21).

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That glory will be revealed when he “appears” – the word means making visible and is used both for his first coming (1:20; Heb.9:26) and for his return, when we “will share in the glory to be revealed” (5:1; Heb.9:28; 1 Jn.3:2). “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col.3:4).

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“The crown of glory that will never fade” expresses that hope. The prize for athletes was a laurel crown but for us the prize is “a crown that will last for ever” (1 Cor.9:24-25; 2 Tim.2:5). It’s “the crown of life” (Jas.1:12), “the crown of righteousness" (2 Tim.4:8) and “the victor’s crown” (Rev.2:10). A crown is also a sign of royal honour – we will reign with him in his glory (Rev.5:10; Rom.5:17; 2 Tim.2:12). So finish the race well, keep the faith, and “long for his appearing” (2 Tim.4:7-8; Rev.3:11).