Jump Start # 3442

John 10:13 “He flees because he is a hireling, and is not concerned about the sheep.”

Our verse today comes from the section of Scripture we call the “Good Shepherd.” There are four characters or elements running through these thoughts. First, the Good Shepherd. That is Jesus. Second, is the hireling, or the hired hand. Third, is the thief. Fourth, are the sheep.

The Good Shepherd is good to the sheep. He leads them. He protects them. They know each other. The Good Shepherd is all in. He’s invested in the sheep. He is willing to give His life to save the sheep. The thief is trying to harm the sheep. Two opposite actions taking place. The hireling is not interested in the sheep. He is only interested in himself. Our verse today states, the hireling is “not concerned about the sheep.”

Have you ever wondered what are the qualities of someone who is not concerned? What is it like when someone doesn’t care?

First, they don’t think about others. In this account, the hireling sees a wolf and he runs. He is only interested in himself. He only wants to talk about himself. He only sees things through his perspective. He won’t be praying for the sheep. He won’t stay awake thinking about the sheep. He won’t be developing plans to help the sheep.

Now, before we leave this thought, we must recognize that there are hirelings in the church. All they care about are themselves. They never help out. They never pitch in. They never are counted on. And, when they have something to say, it’s always about them. They want this and they want that, but don’t count on them to help out. They want someone to serve them.

Second, it is obvious that the hireling is the wrong person who was put in charge of the sheep. The very idea of watching over the sheep is to watch over them. He is to care for them. He is to protect them, feed them and guide them. But in this story, when the wolf appeared, the hireling ran. You wouldn’t want this type of person to babysit your kids. The hireling should have never been hired. He didn’t do his job. He failed.

And, that tells us that sometimes the wrong person can be put in charge. We see this in politics. We see this in business. And, sadly, we see this in the church. Leaders, as God warned through Ezekiel, who were only concerned about themselves. The sheep were wounded, sick and scattered. And, where were the shepherds? They were eating and taking care of themselves. The sheep were neglected.

To lead God’s people a person must first of all be a people person. He has to not only like people but to be genuinely interested in seeing others do well, especially spiritually. Some have the strange idea that if someone were put into a leadership role, then they would learn to be a leader. That generally fails most times. If someone isn’t showing concern and leadership qualities before, it is likely that he won’t show them afterwards. And, when a church is led by hirelings and not shepherds, the church will flounder and fail.

Third, there is yet hope. A selfish person can become humble, serving and develop the heart of a true shepherd. Most kids have selfish periods of their lives. But, with the help of Jesus, we turn, grow and change. We learn to become less interested in self and more interested in others. We learn to put others first. We do this, because we see this in Jesus. We learn from the One who washed the disciples feet. We see the care and compassion of the Savior. We drive out the selfishness  and replace it with a spirit of serving others.

It takes time to change like this. Culture doesn’t help us. Commercials are all about self. But as one grows in Christ, the process, like the hymn, less of self and more of Him, begins to grow. And, in that transition, a person starts serving, leading and helping others. He no longer acts like a hireling. He’s there to stay and he’ll fight to the death for the well being of God’s people.

Thieves…hirelings…and shepherds, around sheep and around the church. Be the salt and be the light. Be a leader that points people to the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Roger