John 10:11-13 -- I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
Thank You, Lord for being able to spend this morning with my brothers in Christ. Thank You, God for everything and in everything this day. In Jesus name. Amen!
After sleeping through two alarms this morning, I managed to make my morning coffee with my brothers in Christ. Then a busy day landed me doing my quiet time at 8:30 PM. It's very different coming to the Lord at the end of the day, versus first thing in the morning. I so greatly enjoy being with Him as soon as I wake up. It sets the tone for every area of my life. I'm sure there are others who prefer evenings or night, but for me nothing beats 5:00 AM in His presence, while the world still sleeps.
Jesus continues to use the imagery of shepherds and sheep. After proclaiming, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.", He moves on to talk about hired hands.
Hired Hand in the Greek is only a single word, misthotos and it means: wage-worker, hireling, one hired. The tone of it in other study texts such as Vine's Expository Dictionary are negative and reflect someone doing their duties for no other reason than the pay.
It's interesting as I've personally known some who were in the ministry and viewed it clearly as a job. It was what they were doing for now and saw it something to punch in and punch out of. You may shake your head at this but it's a very real and truly heartbreaking thing that occurs. Even Jesus calls it out here in these verses.
The hireling is not much different than the thieves and robbers. None of them care for the sheep, they only care for what they get from it. Sure, like any good thief, they wear a mask to cover up the true identity underneath.
Matthew Henry put it this way: "They value not the sheep, are unconcerned in the souls of others; their business is to be their brothers’ lords, not their brothers’ keepers or helpers; they seek their own things, and do not, like Timothy, naturally care for the state of souls. What can be expected but that they will flee when the wolf comes. He careth not for the sheep, for he is one whose own the sheep are not.".
Now, this isn't some call to go around paranoid over every pastor, leader, and teacher. This is however the words of Jesus Christ, clearly calling out there are people who will find their way into the flock or the church, which did not get there through Him and their true intent is one that ultimately points back to themselves.
What does that mean then?
Christian, it means the same thing I always say…if you don't walk with the Lord in His Word and prayer regularly, you will not know His voice and you will easily be deceived. Jesus has already pointed out in chapter ten it's not what the shepherd looks like and it's not the words the shepherd uses, it’s the VOICE of the Shepherd the sheep know.
Well, that's all for tonight. I so pray you don’t take my word on anything. Be the Berean and take anything you hear me say directly to the Bible. Let God show you Himself!
You are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
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