How does John 10:12 contrast the good shepherd with the hired hand? “The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on the flock and scatters it.” Contrast of Ownership and Commitment • Good Shepherd: possesses the sheep (v. 11, “His life for the sheep”), bound by love and responsibility • Hired Hand: “sheep are not his own” — no personal stake, motivated by wages not relationship (cf. v. 13) Contrast of Courage and Self-Sacrifice • Good Shepherd: lays down His life (v. 11; Isaiah 40:11; 1 John 3:16) • Hired Hand: “abandons the sheep and runs away” at first sign of danger Contrast of Protection and Neglect • Good Shepherd: faces the wolf, preserves the flock (Psalm 23:4; John 18:8-9) • Hired Hand: flight leaves sheep exposed; wolf “pounces… and scatters” — physical harm and disunity (Ezekiel 34:5-6) Contrast of Care and Indifference • Good Shepherd: knows each sheep by name (John 10:3-4), seeks the straying (Luke 15:4-5) • Hired Hand: “unconcerned for the sheep” (v. 13), sees danger as personal risk rather than flock peril Implications for Followers • Trust the Shepherd who owns, loves, and protects at any cost (Hebrews 13:20-21) • Beware of leaders driven by personal gain; their loyalty ends where danger begins (2 Peter 2:1-3) • Rest in the security of the Shepherd who never abandons His own (John 10:28-29) |
    |