John 10:12–13 “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth… The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”
We live in a world filled with “hirelings” — people, systems, and even leaders who seem to care when times are good but abandon us when danger comes. A hireling cares about position, comfort, and self-preservation. But when life gets hard, the hireling runs. Jesus paints this contrast so clearly: the false shepherd doesn’t protect the flock because he doesn’t truly love the flock.
The Good Shepherd is different. He doesn’t run away from the wolf — He confronts it. When sin, Satan, and death threatened to destroy us, Jesus didn’t flee. He faced the cross head-on, out of love. Friend, maybe you’ve been let down by people who acted like shepherds but fled when life grew difficult. Take heart. Your Good Shepherd never flees. He runs toward the danger to save you.
Bible Scripture Reading: Psalm 23:1–4, Ezekiel 34:11–16, Mark 2:27, Luke 19:10