I have been studying the book of John for some days now. I have been trying to read and have a deeper understanding of who Christ. But something interesting struck my attention yesterday and today that I would like to share, especially in the COVID 19 season.
This is how I summarised the entire chapter:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
John 10:11-13 (NIV)
In our moments of happiness, everyone is a friend. Everyone would stick around and sing of your praises. Irrespective of the bad things you do to them, some may stick around because of what you have and are.
When everything is lost, that is when you get to know who really is your friend. Jesus in this Chapter is describing why He is the good shepherd. He is not the good shepherd because there are things to feed off from the sheep, but rather the shepherd sacrificed for the sheep.
The difference between a hired man and the shepherd is that the hired man abandons the sheep and runs away when the wolf attacks it. Really! Well, it may be argued that the life of the shepherd is much important than the sheep. After all, the sheep can be replaced, but the shepherd cannot. So it makes sense to run abandon the sheep and run away because it can be easily replaced.
The good shepherd owns the sheep. Because He has invested into the sheep and has nurtured it with love, He would rather risk His life than see the sheep being taken away by the wolf. His love for the sheep makes it possible for Him to risk His life to save the sheep.
What are you to your friends, a good shepherd or a hired man? To the members you are leading, are you a good shepherd or a hired man? Will you abandon and run away from your friends when they run into trouble.
I pray that we all become good shepherds to our friends, colleagues, fellow members and our members we lead. I pray that God will help us value every human being like He does, and treat every man like He would. May His love that has been shared abroad in our hearts be made radient for the entire world to see. This and many blessings I ask in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!!!
