Some days it seems as if the world has gone crazy. Years
ago we attended a church where a young man decided to shoot and kill some
people. Everyone who was a part of that congregation has a story and it is their
own truth. One person’s truth does not supersede another person’s truth, no
matter how dramatic or innocuous. One person stopped that gunman, she was armed
and had been trained. She will always be a hero to that congregation because
she did what no one else did, she laid down her life for others. She put
herself into the situation as a shield and protector. That is not a small
matter. Jesus explains to us the difference between a true shepherd and a hired
hand, and as we will see we have given place to people who we may think are
shepherds when in fact they are hired sheep herders. As long as we know the
difference, we will not expect the hirelings to act like shepherds and vice
versa. I do not want to be critical of anyone in a difficult situation, but we
need to be aware of those that we give authority over us and understand whether
they are a true shepherd or not.
Let’s look at John 10, but switch the order of two
sections. If we remember the Letter of
Aristeas, we will understand that this type of illustration is the way that
Yahweh communicated important truths. The illustrations were to teach important
ideas. Jesus was talking to the
Pharisees who were rich religious leaders that didn’t like the things that Jesus
was teaching. The Pharisees were always coming up with new ways to bypass the
laws, and new ways to put people into bondage. Jesus was so radical in opposing
their traditions that he was a threat to them. They did not believe he could be
the Messiah. So Jesus tells the people the difference between a hired shepherd
and himself as the true shepherd. At that time they did not know that he would
be crucified, and what Jesus tells them is that they, the Pharisees, are simply
hired servants, but that He, Jesus, is the Good Shepherd. Let’s explore.
John 10:11-18 I am the Good [2570] Shepherd. The Good
Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep. [Ps 23.] 12 But the
hired servant [3411] (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the
shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the
flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the
flock]. 13 Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not
himself concerned about the sheep [cares nothing for them]. 14 I am the Good
Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me
— 15 Even as [truly as] the Father knows
Me and I also know the Father — and I am giving My [very own] life and laying
it down on behalf of the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep [beside these] that
are not of this fold. I must bring and impel those also; and they will listen
to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be [they will become] one flock
under one Shepherd. [Ezek 34:23.] 17 For this [reason] the Father loves Me,
because I lay down My [own] life — to take it back again. 18 No one takes it
away from Me. On the contrary, I lay it down voluntarily. [I put it from
Myself.] I am authorized and have power to lay it down (to resign it) and I am
authorized and have power to take it back again. These are the instructions
(orders) which I have received [as My charge] from My Father. AMP
2570
LSJ Gloss: καλός beautiful, beauteous, fair
Dodson: καλός beautiful, good, worthy beautiful, as an
outward sign of the inward good, noble, honorable character; good, worthy,
honorable, noble, and seen to be so.
Strong's: καλός Derivation: of uncertain affinity;
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally),
i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
from G18,
which is properly intrinsic) KJV Usage: X better, fair, good(-ly), honest,
meet, well, worthy.
Thayer:
1) beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice,
surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable
1a) beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent
1b) good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends
1b1) genuine, approved
1b2) precious
1b3) joined to names of men designated by their office, competent, able, such as one ought to be
1b4) praiseworthy, noble
1c) beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy
1c1) morally good, noble
1d) honourable, conferring honour
1e) affecting the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming
1a) beautiful to look at, shapely, magnificent
1b) good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends
1b1) genuine, approved
1b2) precious
1b3) joined to names of men designated by their office, competent, able, such as one ought to be
1b4) praiseworthy, noble
1c) beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy
1c1) morally good, noble
1d) honourable, conferring honour
1e) affecting the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming
3411
LSJ Gloss: μισθωτός hired
Dodson: μισθωτός a hired servant a hired servant, hireling.
Strong's: μισθωτός a wage-worker (good or bad) Derivation:
from G3409; KJV
Usage: hired servant, hireling.
Thayer:
1) one hired, a hireling
Jesus is the beautiful, virtuous, noble, genuine, and
honorable shepherd. The Pharisees are hirelings which work for wages. That
alone is a huge difference. Jesus does not leave the sheep, no matter what
happens, the hireling leaves at the first sign of trouble. Remember that the
Jews are those who Jesus is speaking with, and he says he has other sheep to
bring into the fold. This is all commissioned by the Father. The Pharisees
could not say that the things they were doing were sanctioned by the Father.
Jesus says the Father loves Him for laying down his life. Again, no one knew
ahead of time, other than Jesus and the Father, that Jesus would be crucified,
so what the Pharisees heard seemed strange. Why would the Pharisees ever have
to lay down their lives? They were contentious with the Romans, but not to the
degree that they would put themselves in harm’s way for the people.
Now let’s look at the first part of that chapter. Jesus
says that whoever enters the sheepfold via the door is the shepherd of the
sheep. Any other way into the sheepfold makes that one a thief or robber.
John 10:1-10 I ASSURE you, most solemnly I tell you, he who
does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way
(elsewhere, from some other quarter) is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who
enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The watchman opens the door
for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his
own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out. 4 When he has brought his own
sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they
know his voice. 5 They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will
run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize
their call. 6 Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did
not understand what He was talking about. 7 So Jesus said again, I assure you,
most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep. 8 All others
who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did
not listen to and obey them. 9 I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me
will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and
will find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the
full, till it overflows). AMP
The analogy that Jesus uses here is between the shepherd
and the thief. The shepherd leads the sheep and he goes before them. The thief
is not interested in leading the sheep, he simply comes to steal, kill, or
destroy. The sheep do not want to follow strangers; they didn’t listen and obey
the thieves so they all went astray. Jesus is the beautiful shepherd and the
Pharisees are not shepherds, they are hirelings, thieves and robbers. The last
phrase of this section shows all the trouble this new information caused.
John 10:19 Then a fresh division of opinion arose among the
Jews because of His saying these things. AMP
A “fresh division”, meaning there were other divisions that
Jesus was causing, but this one is a new division. Another point to argue and
discuss regarding Jesus as Messiah.
What is the difference between shepherds/pastors and hired
wage earners? In the Church we have both. Some Pastors are willing to lay down
their lives down for the sheep. In modern vernacular, some pastors would take a
bullet for the sheep. Those who would not take a bullet for the sheep, are the
hired workers. It is important to know the difference. The solider is a shield
for the country, police and firemen protect civilians, Jesus lays down his life
for us all, but do our pastors lay down their lives for their church? It is a
hard question and there isn’t a right answer. Some pastors would lay their lives
down for others, just as missionaries are prepared to do. Some pastors are not
as concerned for others and to them being a pastor is a job. No one who works
the counter at a fast food restaurant would throw themselves in front of the
cash register during a robbery, but rather hand over the cash. Which type of
pastor do we have in our lives? That is our question.
On the day a gunman came to my church, the only one who
laid down their life for the congregation was a woman who had been a police
officer. There had been warnings that morning that the gunman was suspected to
be on his way to our church as he had already killed two and injured two in
another city, but none of the congregants were warned. It just so happened that
this woman was in the area when she heard shots fired.
As is common with the generation of 30/40 somethings, many
of the young people wrote about their experiences, as if the whole world wanted
to hear from them. (They are a funny group of people aren’t they?) One such
young pastor wrote of his experience and plainly admitted to acting as a
hireling. He did not lay his life down for anyone, he nervously collected his
family and sped away from the scene, leaving two women who asked him for help,
behind.
We are to be imitators or mimics of the Apostles. Paul did
not shy away from the possible loss of his life. If we understand what happens
to us upon death we should not fear anything that could happen to us. We are
secure in our eternal future therefore laying down our lives is not something
to fear. People become paralyzed with fear when they do not really believe in
what Jesus made available. There is no shame in being afraid, but as we look at
the big picture, we will see that we miss truly living boldly.
17G1223On
account of G3778this G3992I send
G1473to you
G*Timothy,
G3739who G1510.2.3is G5043[3child
G14731my G272beloved],
G2532and G4103trustworthy
G1722in G2962the Lord,
G3739who G1473shall
remind you G363 G3588 G3598of my
ways -- G1473 G3588the
ones G1722in G5547Christ,
G2531as G3837everywhere
G1722in G3956every G1577assembly
G1321I
teach.
3402
LSJ Gloss: μιμητής an imitator, copyist
Dodson: μιμητής an imitator an imitator, follower.
Thayer:
1) an imitator
People have said that the highest compliment one can pay
another is to imitate that one. Paul asks us to mimic his ways in the Lord, and
he was sending Timothy to teach people how to mimic Paul’s ways. But we are not
only mimicking Paul but Christ, as Paul was a mimic of Christ.
The comparison of the shepherd to the hireling is obvious
as the hireling is not a follower of Christ but leaves the sheep when trouble
comes. The hired worker does not walk in love. Here are some studies that we
did about Paul which will help us understand what he lived through. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2015/05/un-learning-and-re-learning-pride-paul.html
2G2532And G4043walk G1722in G26love! G2531as G2532also G3588the G5547Christ
G25loved G1473us, G2532and G3860delivered
G1438himself
up G5228for G1473us G4376an
offering G2532and G2378sacrifice
G3588 G2316to God
G1519for G3744a
scent G2175of
pleasant aroma
When Dr. Ben Carson was asked what he would do if he was in
a situation such as the college shooting in Oregon, he commented that he would
rally the people to attack the shooter while he took the bullet, rather than
letting the gunman kill more people. That comment has been distorted to be a
criticism of the Oregon victims, but it truly is a wonderful response. I would
say that the world’s view of death is fearful paralyzation which then allows
the dominator with the gun to do whatever he/she wants. Since criminals don’t
follow laws, the victims have to rise up with their own attitudes of boldness
without fear. But again, sacrificing ones’ life for others is not bad and we have
to adjust our thinking accordingly because we may never know ahead of time when
a terrible situation will arise.
1 Thess 1:4-8 [O] brethren beloved by God, we recognize and
know that He has selected (chosen) you; 5 For our [preaching of the] glad tidings
(the Gospel) came to you not only in word, but also in [its own inherent] power
and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction and absolute certainty [on our
part]. You know what kind of men we proved [ourselves] to be among you for your
good. 6 And you [set yourselves to] become imitators of us and [through us] of
the Lord Himself, for you welcomed our message in [spite of] much persecution,
with joy [inspired] by the Holy Spirit; 7 So that you [thus] became a pattern
to all the believers (those who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Christ Jesus)
in Macedonia and Achaia (most of Greece). 8 For not only has the Word
concerning and from the Lord resounded forth from you unmistakably in Macedonia
and Achaia, but everywhere the report has gone forth of your faith in God [of
your leaning of your whole personality on Him in complete trust and confidence
in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. So we [find that we] never need to tell
people anything [further about it]. AMP
Paul took the idea of being an imitator one step further by
telling the Thessalonians to be models to others. Not only are they models, but
the word of God was made known as well. What was made known? That their whole
personality leaned on Jesus, in complete trust and confidence. What a great example
of what we should look like to others.
Once they became imitators they received the same abuse the Apostles
received.
1 Thess 2:11-18 For you know how, as a father [dealing
with] his children, we used to exhort each of you personally, stimulating and
encouraging and charging you 12 To live lives worthy of God, Who calls you into
His own kingdom and the glorious blessedness [into which true believers will
enter after Christ's return]. 13 And we also [especially] thank God continually
for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us,
you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of
God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman
power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it]. 14 For you,
brethren, became imitators of the assemblies (churches) of God in Christ Jesus
which are in Judea, for you too have suffered the same kind of treatment from
your own fellow countrymen as they did [who were persecuted at the hands] of
the Jews, 15 Who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and harassed and
drove us out, and continue to make themselves hateful and offensive to God and
to show themselves foes of all men, 16 Forbidding and hindering us from speaking
to the Gentiles (the nations) that they may be saved. So as always they fill up
[to the brim the measure of] their sins. But God's wrath has come upon them at
last [completely and forever]! [Gen 15:16.] 17 But since we were bereft of you,
brethren, for a little while in person, [of course] not in heart, we endeavored
the more eagerly and with great longing to see you face to face, 18 Because it
was our will to come to you. [I mean that] I, Paul, again and again [wanted to
come], but Satan hindered and impeded us. AMP
It is not an easy thing to become imitators of Paul and
Jesus knowing that you too will suffer persecution. But again that is the
difference between the shepherd and the hireling, and if one has been a
hireling that one can change to become a shepherd at any time. The writer of
Hebrews suggests that we become imitators to the end because of the hope we
have.
Heb 6: 11G1937But we
desire G1161 G1538each G1473of you
G3588[2the
G14733same G17311to
demonstrate] G4710diligence
G4314to G3588the G4136full
assurance G3588of the
G1680hope G891as far
as until G5056the end;
12G2443that G3361[2not
G35764dull G10961you
should 3become], G3402but
imitators G1161 G3588of the
ones G1223through
G4102belief
G2532and G3115long-suffering
G2816inheriting
G3588the G1860promises.
We inherit the promises if we are imitators of the Apostles
and Christ, but not if we are simply hired wage earners. The pay check that the
hired worker receives is the reward, whereas the reward for the imitator is
eternal rewards. Peter has a good perspective as well.
1 Peter 3: 12G3754For G3588the G3788eyes G2962of the Lord
G1909are upon
G1342the righteous,
G2532and G3775his
ears G1473 G1519towards
G1162their
supplication. G1473 G4383But the face
G1161 G2962of the Lord
G1909is against
G4160the
ones doing G2556evil.
13G2532And G5100who is
G3588the
one G2559afflicting
G1473you, G1437if G3588[3of
the G184good G34022mimics
G10961you
should become]?
14G235But G1487if G2532also G3958you
may suffer G1223because
of G1343righteousness,
G3107blessed are
you; G3588but
the G1161 G5401fear G1473of
them G3361you
should not G5399fear, G3366nor G5015should
you be disturbed
We should not fear anyone because the Lord sees us. Jesus
will come to judge and he is not unaware of what people say or do. John also
exhorts us to lay our lives down as Jesus did.
1 John 3:16 By this we come to know (progressively to
recognize, to perceive, to understand) the [essential] love: that He laid down
His [own] life for us; and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are
our] brothers [in Him]. AMP
Remember, Jesus started a “new division”. He was the one
who came up with the new command to love one another.
John 15:12-14 This is My commandment: that you love one
another [just] as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love [no one has
shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his
friends. 14 You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command
you to do. AMP
No one loves you more than someone who is willing to give
up his own life for you. Who would give up their life for you? Who would you
give up your life for? Pastors don’t automatically give up their lives for
others when they decide to become pastors. They simply may be a pastor for the
job, not as a sacrifice. All we can do is decide for our own selves how far the
sacrifice of our own lives should go. Jesus gave us some guidelines.
Matt 16:24-26 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone
desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and
forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me
[cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need
be, in dying, also]. 25 For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his
comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his
life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].
26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his
life [his blessed life in the kingdom of God]? Or what would a man give as an
exchange for his [blessed] life [in the kingdom of God]? AMP
Mark 8:34-36 And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His
disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny
himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own
interests] and take up his cross, and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with
My party] follow with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me]. 35 For
whoever wants to save his [higher, spiritual, eternal] life, will lose it [the
lower, natural, temporal life which is lived only on earth]; and whoever gives
up his life [which is lived only on earth] for My sake and the Gospel's will
save it [his higher, spiritual life in the eternal kingdom of God]. 36 For what
does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life [in the
eternal kingdom of God]? AMP
Luke 9:23-25 And He said to all, If any person wills to
come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of
himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his
cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My
example in living and, if need be, in dying also]. 24 For whoever would
preserve his life and save it will lose and destroy it, but whoever loses his
life for My sake, he will preserve and save it [from the penalty of eternal death].
25 For what does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and ruins or
forfeits (loses) himself? AMP
As a matter of personal opinion I would rather be around
those who would lay down their lives for others just as I would, rather than be
around those who would not. It is not a matter of preserving life on earth but
entering into life eternal. Those are the type of political leaders we should
want, the type of military leaders we need, the kind of civil servants we
desire, and the kind of religious leaders we should have leading us. Maybe it
is time to expect a little more from our leaders.
