John 10:11-21 CSB
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [12] The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn't own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. [13] This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn't care about the sheep. [14] "I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, [15] just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] But I have other sheep that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. [17] This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. [18] No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father." [19] Again the Jews were divided because of these words. [20] Many of them were saying, "He has a demon and he's crazy. Why do you listen to him?" [21] Others were saying, "These aren't the words of someone who is demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
I Lay down my Life
In my life, I have worked two types of jobs. The first are the jobs I love—the ones I am fully invested in. I become part of the work, and the work becomes part of me. These are great to have, though we must be careful not to turn them into idols.
The other type of job is the one that isn’t what it was supposed to be. In those roles, you have to remind yourself that you are working for the Lord rather than the taskmasters over you. Often, fear keeps you there—the need to pay bills or the dread of losing what you’ve built. Yet, these are the jobs that build humility and patience in the Lord.
There is an old saying that the only work to be found in certain areas is either playing a guitar or becoming a pastor. To become a pastor for a paycheck or to perform a function in the church for some worldly benefit is to become a hireling. A hireling does not shepherd or serve the sheep out of deep love, but for a temporal reward. Eager for earthly advantages and honor, they supply the wants of their souls with worldly gain. When the work becomes hard or the rewards are few, they scatter for another church or leave the ministry altogether.
Then there is the one who sticks it out—the person focused on lost souls. Their ministry might not be grand; maybe only a few people show up each week, but the work is done out of love rather than self-reward. This person demonstrates the qualities of a good shepherd.
The Chief Shepherd in our lives is Jesus. He rightly claims the title of the Good Shepherd, and He provides the proof. When danger comes, the false shepherds and hirelings run away, leaving the sheep to the wolves. Jesus proves He can be trusted because He lays down His life for the sheep.
This is the ultimate proof: Jesus was not forced to give up His life. He loves and cares for us so much that He did it willingly. It was a choice. What love is this? No greater love exists than for someone to give all they own to die for another and take their place. Jesus does this for all who call on His name and hear His voice.
Sometimes in life, we find it hard to forgive. We shout, “You don’t know what they did to me!” But if we can remember what the Lord did for us, it changes everything. He gave Himself when we were unlovable so that we might live. Today, He walks with us and intercedes for us. How much more should we remember this love and offer it to those who have offended us? May the Good Shepherd’s love seep into our lives, and may we demonstrate it as we become more like Him.
Reflection Questions
- In your current “fields of labor” (work, family, or ministry), are you acting as one who is deeply invested, or has the spirit of a “hireling” crept in?
- Jesus emphasizes that no one takes His life from Him; He lays it down on His own. How does knowing His sacrifice was a deliberate choice affect your sense of worth in His eyes?
- If the Good Shepherd’s love “seeps into our lives,” who is the one person in your life right now who needs to see that sacrificial love through your forgiveness?
Prayer
Father,
We thank You for the Good Shepherd who did not run when the wolves of sin and death came for us. We thank You, Jesus, that You stood Your ground and laid down Your life by Your own choice. Help us to work and serve today not as hirelings looking for a reward, but as people who are deeply invested in Your kingdom. Let Your love soften our hearts toward those who have hurt us, reminding us of the great debt You paid for us.
Amen.
