The responsibility that Christ Jesus gives the apostles and elders to steward God’s house is a heavy burden. Honestly, it is a calling of responsibility that no one could adequately do. The primary stewardship is over the sheep that the God the Father gave to Christ, the Son. Jesus prays to His Father in Heaven: “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.” [John 17:6] Christ Jesus is THE SHEPHERD of these precious sheep and the elders of the church are his stewards. Peter’s epistle of encouragement to the diaspora of the early church was written at a time of great persecution in the Roman Empire. This letter was written when the churches in Asia Minor experienced torment under Emperor Nero [a crazy man by all historical accounts]. At this time, Peter was in prison waiting for his own crucifixion. Yet in this time of distress, the great apostle of Jesus Christ, carried out his duty as a shepherd and elder to comfort and guide the sheep that belonged to HIS crucified and resurrected Lord. This epistle of encouragement and instruction served as a reminder to the churches of whom they belonged as many were without home or community. Peter exhorted the church to live holy lives among their wicked and pagan neighbors; to live lives of holy example amid unjust suffering. He reminded them of the example of Christ, their Great Shepherd, whose sufferings they too shared. In this last chapter of the epistle, the elders of the churches were called to lead the flock that belonged to their Great Shepherd with humility and strong conviction. This passage reminds the elders of God’s Church who they are to model as they exemplify the humility and compassion of Christ Jesus our Lord.