Shepherd or Hired Hand?

Shepherd or Hired Hand? “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 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 10:1-13 NIV. ...................................................................................................... John chapter 10 gives us a description of the Good Shepherd. This post is directed at our earthly good shepherds, pastors. Pastors, as you read this post I ask that you examine yourselves. Are you acting as good shepherds or something else? In Bible times the shepherd enters the sheep pen by the gate. John tells us that anyone who does not enter by the gate is a thief. Have you entered into the lives of your flock by the gate? When you were a candidate did you provide true and accurate information to the committee that were responsible to secure a pastoral candidate? Did you leave out any information that should have been included? Did you give honest and accurate answers to any questions asked? If you answered “no” to any of these questions you did not enter by the gate. “The shepherd leads out the sheep.” Are you leading your sheep or are you driving them out? The shepherd does not use a cattle prod. He doesn’t whip them to get them to leave the safety of their pen. Are you leading your flock in love or are you forcing them to go in the direction you desire? “The sheep know his voice.” Does your flock know your voice? When they hear you do they listen or run away. Are people leaving the church because of you? Are you speaking in such a way as to encourage your flock? The shepherd leads his flock to a pasture where there is food and water. Are you leading your flock to a place where they will be fed? Is your preaching giving your flock biblical food and water or are you driving them someplace where you want to go without thinking about what your flock really needs? “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” Are you willing to do all in your power to ensure the safety of your flock? Are you willing to admit your errors and lapses of good judgment to secure the safety of your flock? Will you protect your sheep from attacks of evil – even if it were to come from your own family? The hired hand runs away when the wolf comes. Do you run away and abandon your flock when there is trouble? Do you leave them to fend for themselves and idly stand by as they are attacked? Image credits: http://acharlie.tripod.com/shepherd.html