THE CHIEF SHEPHERD. 1st Peter 5:4 Each shepherd in the local assembly of God’s people can be encouraged, knowing that the Chief Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ, knows every decision he made, every effort he made to help the saints, every misunderstanding he had to accept, and every tear he shed as he cared for the Lord’s people. When each believer gives an account of the things done in the body at the second coming of Christ, the faithful shepherds will know that it has been “worth it all, when we see Jesus!”
The “crown of glory” gives us insight into the value the Lord places on the selfless service of leadership in an assembly. An eternal crown of glory that never loses its luster, cast before the Lord, is the only motivation a faithful shepherd needs to “keep the faith” in times of suffering and the cost of holy leadership. The Chief Shepherd of elders in local assemblies of believers is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep and the Great Shepherd who is fulfilling His plans through those who belong to Him.
We are not told what a crown of glory looks like, but we know that glory is the display of excellence. There will be a form of recognition and honor that will remain on those who were faithful in their leadership of the Lord’s people and in their responsibility to their Lord. Crowns mentioned in the New Testament are: an imperishable crown [1Cor.9:25], a crown of glory [1Thes.2:19], a crown of righteousness [2Tim.4:8], and a crown of life [Jas.1:12; Rev. 2:10].
What these crowns are like is not told to us, but whether they are literal or indicative of a leader’s Christian character, they belong at the feet of Jesus. He has given us “every good and perfect gift” and “all things to enjoy,” and we owe all we are, have, and hope to be to Him. The crown of glory will be a full and sufficient reward for the suffering, trials, tears, and pain of leadership and serving the Chief Shepherd during one’s lifetime here. The “True Shepherd” in Ezekiel 34:11-16 knows everyone and will ensure everyone gets safely home and is sufficiently recompensed.
It is not because of age or the color of one’s hair, and it is not because of great achievements that he’s standing there with a crown. It’s because of faithfulness and the burdens he was willing to bear that he stands before the Chief Shepherd, wearing a crown of glory. It is not because he was so smart and made a lot of money. It is not because he held great titles; in fact, he had none. It is because he knew the flock, from MaryJane to Benny, that he stands before the Chief Shepherd now, wearing a crown of glory.
The reward of shepherds is in the future. "The crown of glory" never fades because the evidence will be seen in the eternal kingdom wherever God's people serve Him. What we learn here from those who lead us will equip us for the service the Lord will give us in the future. This particular crown is unique to the shepherds because they will receive it from the "Chief Shepherd" who gave His life for the sheep. He gave His life when He died for them. Shepherds give their lives by living for the sheep under their care. They are stewards caring for those who belong to the Chief Shepherd. Such a privilege it is to be entrusted with the stewardship of a living, fruitful flock.
It is not because he was paid to care, but that the Spirit put care within him. It is not because he demanded it that people followed him. It is because it was obvious to all that he truly cared for them that he stands before the Chief Shepherd and that the crown of glory shines. That crown is not given to those who are worried about the cost; it belongs to those who care, not wanting any to be lost or fail in their Christian life. It is worn by burden-bearers who have suffered major loss. When he stands before the Chief Shepherd, that crown won’t lose its gloss because it will never fade.