In preaching yesterday on The Duties of Elders from 1 Peter 5:1-4, I was struck by reading John Calvin's commentary on v. 4 regarding the reward that awaits elders from the Chief Shepherd:
1 Peter 5:4: "and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade."
Calvin comments:
Except pastors retain this end in view, it can by no means be that they will in good earnest proceed in the course of their calling, but will, on the contrary, become often faint; for there are innumerable hindrances which are sufficient to discourage the most prudent. They have often to do with ungrateful men, from whom they receive an unworthy reward; long and great labors are often in vain; Satan sometimes prevails in his wicked devices. Lest, then, the faithful servant of Christ should be broken down, there is for him one and only one remedy,--to turn his eyes to the coming of Christ. Thus it will be, that he, who seems to derive no encouragement from men, will assiduously go on in his labors, knowing that a great reward is prepared for him by the Lord.
JTR
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