In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” – 1 Peter 5:5.
In God’s family, says Peter, everyone should be humble. No one may think that they are more important than someone else. He also reminds us that God gives his grace especially to those who need it – the humble. Therefore, all believers should be humble.
Peter also gives us a practical example of what it means to be humble by referring to younger believers’ relationship with older believers. He asks that younger believers will be submissive to older believers. Note that he is not asking children to be submissive only to their own parents, but that all young believers should be submissive to all older people. Practically this means that believers should provide for the needs of older people who cannot always provide for their own needs.
An important indication of whether a congregation as a faith community is healthy, is that the older people in the congregation are cared for spiritually, physically and emotionally. We can, therefore, not only ask them how they are doing; we should also practically provide for their needs.
Lord, thank you for the generations that went before us. May You care for them through us and may our love remind them of your love and faithfulness to them. Amen.