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Chapter 7 - Good Shepherd
John 10:11-12
11 I [ego] am [eimi] the good [kalos] shepherd [poimen] : the good [kalos] shepherd [poimen] giveth [tithemi] his [autos] life [psuche] for [huper] the sheep [probaton] .
12 But [de] he that is [on] an hireling [misthotos] , and [kai] not [ou] the shepherd [poimen] , whose [hos] own [idios] the sheep [probaton] are [eisi] not [ou] , seeth [theoreo] the wolf [lukos] coming [erchomai] , and [kai] leaveth [aphiemi] the sheep [probaton] , and [kai] fleeth [pheugo] : and [kai] the wolf [lukos] catcheth [harpazo] them [autos] , and [kai] scattereth [skorpizo] the sheep [probaton] . KJV-Interlinear
11 'I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 'He who is a hireling, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, beholds the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the wolf snatches them, and scatters them. NASB
The Shepherd is not only, the one who cares for, provides for, and watches out for the sheep, but he goes one step further. He gives His own life so that the sheep might have life. There is far more to the role of shepherd, than merely watching over the flock. The functions and responsibilities of the shepherd delve into truth, and therein separates the true shepherd from the 'want to be's.' Even those with good intentions.
The false shepherds are in it for their own benefit, with no concern for the sheep they wish to have leadership authority. And that is really the key. The false seeks authority and power in order to benefit themselves only. The sheep are merely the means to the end.
Not only are those who desire leadership not honorable, but they do not have the wherewithal to carry out the true responsibilities of the shepherd.
The sheep are believers in Christ. They are the ones who have expressed faith in the only Son of God. Believers can do this only because Christ went to bat for them on the Cross. The Cross was necessary because mankind was lost to sin and death, and mankind had no way out of that trap.
Being trapped between physical birth and physical death, man has to look to a greater power to help him out. That help must come from not only a source which is 'good' but a source which is true. Mankind is not a source of truth.
There may be shepherds who feel they are worthy, but when put up against the high standards of God, all of mankind falls infinitely short or perfection.
Psa. 23:1
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. NASB
Isa. 40:11
11 Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs, And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. NASB
Isa. 53:1
1 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? NASB
Ezek. 34:1-2
1 Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2 'Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? NASB
No human being can lead anyone into eternity.
In contrast the hireling may wish to lay his own life down for the sheep, but to what end? Once gone the hired hand can do nothing. Only the one and only 'good shepherd' can lay His own life down, and raise it up again, and still keep the sheep safe through it all.
The hired hand, though he may wish to protect the sheep, when push comes to shove, he will run the other way and save his owe life, thus sacrificing the sheep to the predators of the world. Good intentions can never stop the evil of the world.
The hired hand here is a reference to someone who means well, but still is functioning outside of the will of Christ. He may not be the robber whose whole purpose is to take advantage of and destroy the sheep, but he still does harm to the sheep, when trouble comes along, because, lacking spiritual assets, lacking spiritual growth, he will run as a coward will run.
This is not leadership or protection, nor concern for the sheep when times get tough.
Believers in Christ need Bible doctrine and not mere moral support. Kind words alone will never prepare you for life.
End of Lesson
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