The Hireling Doesn't Care - John 10:13

The apostle John wrote how Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep”, and in chapter ten and verse thirteen of his book John shared how Jesus said, “a hireling … cares not for the sheep” where we read:

The hireling flees, because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep.

The verse reads, “The hireling flees, because he is an hireling, ...” John began with the words, “the hireling flees” which means “the wage-earner or hired servant runs away, departs, seeks safety by flight and escapes safely out of danger”, “because he is a hireling” or “since and on account that the hireling exists as a wage-earner or hired servant” with the trait that follows. John shared how Jesus said the reason the “hired servant” runs away is on account that he is a “hired servant” with the following trait.

The verse continues, “... and cares not for the sheep.” John added the words, “and cares not” which means “and does not have concern or interest” “for the sheep” or “on behalf of the four footed, tame animals which are accustomed to graze”. John shared how Jesus said the “hireling” does not have interest in or concern for the “shepherd's sheep”.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how the “wage-earner” or “hired servant” “runs away” when the “wolf” comes because he doesn't really have concern for the “sheep”. In other words, since he doesn't possess or own them, he only cares for himself. It is a marvel how people have disregard for things that are not their own, and when trouble comes, they abandon them. God loves people, and His care for them is demonstrated in good times and bad. Jesus does not “run away” from His own, and when a person submits their life to Him, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and be concerned for them throughout all eternity.

Next time John shares how Jesus says, “I … know my sheep, and am known of my sheep", so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".