May 6, 2025
The Good Shepherd - Part 2
John 10:12-13
05/06/2025
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. (ESV)
If Jesus is the Good Shepherd, what are the other shepherds
like? Jesus tells us:
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. He flees because he is a hired hand and
cares nothing for the sheep.
The false shepherds, the hirelings, give the sheep a false
sense of security, a false message of hope. The devil, the
world, and our own sinful flesh hold the glitz and glamour of
created things before our eyes. They claim if we work hard
enough and sacrifice enough, we might obtain power or wealth or
some future life of leisure.
False shepherds demand that we be strong, that we be perfect
in every way. There is no room for weakness, there can be no
letting up. Failure is not an option. Those who do not measure
up are cast by the wayside, abandoned, and left alone.
Our selfish ambition cares nothing for others, reflects no
love, and uses people even as we are used by others. The wolf,
be it natural disaster or health issues or some other danger out
of our control, finds us defenseless.
The Good Shepherd, however, protects His sheep. He gives
His life for the sheep, covering their sins with His
righteousness, strengthening them in weakness, and binding their
wounds. He is not a hireling.
May our Lord give us faith to know and trust in the Good
Shepherd for our eternal blessing. Amen.