The Good Shepherd Who Saves Lives

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

In a hostile world that is constantly seeking your downfall, you need a good shepherd who will keep rather than abandon you.

Introduction 

As we take a look at John 10:11-16, keep in mind that Jesus was responding to the Pharisees who had accused Him of being a sinner and a threat to the Jews.  Jesus proclaimed that He was not a thief or robber, but the shepherd who stands in the door of the sheepfold.  Rather than being a threat, Jesus proclaimed that He is the one who lays down His life for the sheep.

Sheep in the Midst of Wolves

In this scripture, Jesus makes it clear that the sheep need saving.  

Let’s first note in John 10:12 that Jesus spoke of the sheep being in the midst of wolves, which is a rather dangerous position for sheep.  Now, Jesus was speaking metaphorically about the sheep being in the midst of wolves, so let’s bring some clarity to what the wolves can represent.

Wolves, as in the animal, are pack animals that hunt prey; they often hunt the weak, very old, very young, and often sick – the easy catch.  So, while a wolf might remind you of your pet dog, wolves are not friendly; they are hostile!  So, metaphorically, Jesus spoke of sheep being in a hostile world that will constantly prey upon them, seeking to consume them.

Now, when Jesus spoke of a hostile world, let us understand from where and what the hostility towards the sheep is.  This world is hostile not just because of the thieves and robbers who are a danger to the sheep, but because of sin.  As Paul stated, we aren’t in a wrestling match against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual host of wickedness in heavenly places (Eph. 6:12).

Sin, we should understand, is a very great threat to the sheep.  In the midst of this hostile environment, sheep need a good overseer!  

Without a good overseer, sheep are vulnerable to being hounded and preyed upon by sin.  Without a good overseer, sheep are vulnerable to being scattered from the protection of the flock by sin.  Without a good overseer, sheep are vulnerable to being consumed by sin.  When consumed by sin, the sheep is vulnerable to being destroyed by sin.  Again, the sheep are in need of a good overseer.

Sheep in the Care of Hirelings

With the idea of care for the flock in mind, Jesus spoke of sheep being in the care of a hireling in John 10:12.

Now, let’s note how Jesus spoke of the hireling.  The first thing that Jesus pointed out about the hireling is that the hireling is not the shepherd.  Jesus was speaking about the differences in care between a shepherd and a hireling.  So, let us consider: How much does an employee care about their 9-to-5 job?

Well, if it is their dream job, employees care a great deal and will put forth great effort on the job.  Even if it isn’t one’s dream job, a good employee still puts forth effort and will work hard.  However, a bad employee wants to get paid but will only do the minimum to get paid.

 Let’s understand that when Jesus spoke of the hireling, He spoke of the sheep being in the care of a bad employee.  In the care of a bad employee, sheep are vulnerable to the lack of care that a bad employee has.  Jesus said, “[The hireling] sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees (John 10:12).”  Jesus said that the hireling flees because the hireling doesn’t care about the lives of the sheep (John 10:13).

Sheep can’t be in the care of thieves and robbers because they seek to steal, kill, and destroy the sheep (John 10:10).  Sheep can’t be in the care of poor hired help because of the danger they pose.  Poor hired help don’t care about the sheep and will abandon them to the danger at the first sign of trouble.

Warning to the Flock About Poor Hired Help

Therefore, the sheep, those who are helpless, in need of healing, and guidance, must be prudent about the hired help, as one’s life is in their hands.

So, who did Jesus recognize as being the hired help of whom He spoke?  Once again, let’s keep in mind that Jesus was responding to the Pharisees.  

Jesus had likened the Pharisees to being thieves and robbers, but we could certainly consider that Jesus was also speaking of them being hirelings.  In Matthew 23:2, Jesus spoke of how the Pharisees sat in Moses’ seat, but their works were not as his works.  

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, for they bound heavy burdens upon others in their religious zeal, rather than helping to uplift the burden of others (Matt. 23:4).  Jesus also rebuked the Pharisees because they did their works to be seen and praised by others (Matt. 23:5-7).  Jesus condemned the Pharisees as hypocrites because they shut up the kingdom of heaven rather than lead others to the kingdom (Matt. 23:13).

Now, it wasn’t just the Pharisees that Jesus rebuked, but He rebuked the scribes in the same manner.  Jesus rebuked the Sadducees for proclaiming themselves keepers of the law, but they did not know the Scriptures nor the power of God (Matt. 22:29).

Today’s poor hired help are spiritual leaders whose care is self-centered rather than focused on the flock they’ve been given.  Rather than being a shepherd to the flock, their care is for money/wealth and their livelihoods.  So, they leave their flock destitute of the truth, which poses a serious threat when one is ignorant of the way of God.  

Sheep in the care of a hireling must understand that the hireling abandons God’s assignment, not ministering in truth.  So, the flock must be careful of being under the care of such a one, for they will be left vulnerable to being consumed and destroyed by sin.

The Good Shepherd

So, it was with care of the flock in mind that Jesus proclaimed to the Pharisees, those who had accused Him of being the danger, “I am the good shepherd.”  This proclamation from Christ, once again, set Him apart from those who are poor hired help.  

His love and care

Where the hireling doesn’t care about the flock, Jesus made it clear that as the good shepherd, He genuinely loves and cares for the flock.  How does the love of the good shepherd differ from the hireling? 

Let us notice the very first thing Jesus said about being the good shepherd in John 10:11.  Jesus said that the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

Oftentimes, when we think of Jesus giving His life, we often think of the cross.  Yet, I want to point out the sacrifice Christ made when coming to this world.  You see, we must not forget that Christ came from eternity.  In coming from eternity, Christ gave up the comfort of dwelling in peace and joy (the absence of sin) to dwell in this hostile world of sin.

Could you imagine giving up such comfort to come and dwell in this hostile world?  Think about this:  When He dwelt in this world, Jesus was tempted by Satan, just as we are tried and tested.  He was also grieved with emotion, just as we are, when He saw the hurt of others.

Now, Jesus could have gone the selfish route and chosen to stay in eternity and not come to this hostile world.  Yet, He chose to come to this world, and the reason why He came to this world was for the sheep!  So, unlike the hireling, the good shepherd is empathetic. 

In His love and care for the flock, Jesus would not have His sheep be destitute of the truth.  Jesus proclaimed that He was/is the light of the world.  In that light, Jesus pointed out that we are sinners, but He said that we can inherit the kingdom if we are born again!  You see, Jesus would not abandon the sheep to the condemnation of sin!

Because He would not abandon the sheep to the condemnation of sin, like a hireling, Jesus chose to drink from the bitter cup (Luke 22:40-42).  When I say that He drank from the bitter cup, we must remember that Jesus was arrested, tried, beaten, and then crucified for the sheep.  Christ sacrificed Himself, taking on the sins of the sheep to save them from the guilty verdict of sin.

Jesus Paid It All

Jesus is the good shepherd, and He paid it all for the sheep, laying down His life so that they may have life while in this hostile world and afterwards.  Now, I want this to be made clear as to who Jesus paid it all for, as I believe this is incredibly important for all of you who desire to be under the care of the good shepherd rather than a poor hireling.

In John 10:16, as He responded to the Pharisees, Jesus said, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd (John 10:16).”

There are two flocks that Jesus spoke of laying down His life for.  For clarity, let us understand that the initial sheep He spoke of was that of Israel (the entire house of Israel).  The other sheep that Christ said were to be added are the Gentiles, all other nations of people.

This must be made clear:  Jesus paid it all for everyone!  For all who believe in Him, Christ has promised, you will not perish but have everlasting life.

The Sheep of Christ Shall Overcome

The good shepherd hasn’t abandoned anyone to sin.  In fact, He rose from the grave and watches over the flock – the church — to this day.

When Jesus sent out the twelve on their first assignment, He told them that they were like sheep in the midst of wolves (Matt. 10).  Jesus sent them out with little to no supplies; they had no money, no weapons, not even a pair of extra clothes or sandals to wear!  When you might think that He sent them out helpless, they weren’t alone – they had to learn how to lean and depend on the God whom they couldn’t see with their eyes.

Though they were sent out in the midst of wolves, they returned to Christ.  They returned to Christ because God was with them as they journeyed.  They overcame!

We are no different from the apostles, in that, Christ has received us into His fold because we have come to Him by faith.  Though we are in the midst of wolves, we can and will overcome because the Lord is with us.  Like the apostles, we will return to Christ, as He receives us unto Himself, and we will sing of all we have overcome and done because we have a good shepherd.