Cast Your Cares on Him

A fisherman stands on the shore at dawn. He swings back his arm and throws a heavy net far out over the water. He lets it go completely. That is the picture Peter, an old fisherman, wants us to have of our worries.

Peter is now an old man. Long ago he mended nets on the Sea of Galilee, until Jesus called him to follow. He had walked with Jesus, failed him, and been forgiven. After the resurrection, on another lakeshore, Jesus had asked him three times, do you love me? And three times he said, feed my sheep. Now, many years later, Peter writes from Rome to Christians scattered across Asia Minor. They are suffering for their faith. As he comes to the end of his letter, he speaks first to the leaders, and then to everyone.

To the elders among you, Peter says, I appeal to you as a fellow elder. He does not say, as the great apostle. He says, as one of you. And he adds that he was a witness of Christ's sufferings. Then he gives them the job Jesus gave him. Be shepherds of God's flock that is among you. Watch over them, not because you have to, but because you want to, as God would have you. Not greedy for money, but eager to serve. Not bossing those in your care, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of glory that will never fade. Peter knew the Chief Shepherd. He had once heard him say, I am the good shepherd.

Then Peter speaks to the younger people, and to all of them together. Be subject to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another. Picture tying on a servant's apron. Peter had once watched Jesus do exactly that, tie a towel around his waist and wash the disciples' feet, including Peter's. For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time he may lift you up. And then those well-loved words. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Not some of your worries. All of them. Throw them onto God, like a fisherman throwing his net, because he cares about you.

But Peter is not naive. Be sober, be watchful, he says. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith. And remember, you are not alone. Your brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kinds of suffering. Then Peter ends with a promise, warm and steady. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you, and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

At the very end of this letter, Peter sends greetings from the church in Babylon. Babylon had long been in ruins as a great city. So what did he mean? The church historian Eusebius records an early tradition, from a second-century bishop named Papias, that Peter wrote this letter in Rome, and called Rome Babylon as a figure of speech, the great city where God's people lived as exiles.

Cast your cares on him. You'll find Peter's words in First Peter chapter five, verses one to eleven. Shepherd gently. Serve humbly. Stand firm. And throw every worry onto God, because he cares for you. So here is a question to carry with you. What worry are you carrying right now that you could hand over to God today?