A Complete Commitment

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God. 1 Peter 2:13-17 NASB

The incredible freedom that Jesus, our Shepherd, gives us from the bondages of sin and fear of death are not a license to explore further sinful, rebellious behavior, but rather to serve God. We have submitted to the authority of Jesus Christ when we acknowledge and accept Him as our Saviour. He is the source of authority and so when we submit to any earthly authority (the Church, the government), we are acknowledging that God’s authority is present. It is this combination of great inner freedom and great humility and deference to authority that marks the servants of God.  

Acts 4:13 NASB Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.

We submit out of strength and the security that comes through our relationship with Jesus, the King of kings.

While the title of shepherd carried a specific meaning to the Jewish people of the time, it can be easy for us to skim over this reference and miss the magnitude of what God is saying about the nature of Jesus.

The traditional role of a shepherd was anything but glamorous. In fact, it was difficult, requiring long, dangerous hours and a complete commitment to the well-being of his flock. He led them to food and shelter, accounted for them each night, and sought out and returned any that strayed. 

He even protected them from thieves and predators at the expense of his own safety.

Just as sheep have no instinct for food, are prone to stray and get lost, and have trouble finding home, we too, are aimless without our shepherd. 

In Jesus, we find the provision, protection, and guidance we so desperately need.