21-day challenge Day #10: John 10

Read: John 10

My Key Verse: John 10:13

My Reflections: Wow, this is another one of those chapter that is just so chock full of spiritual significance--I'm almost at a loss to pick just one. But one verse jumped out at me in a totally new way so here goes...

"The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep." John 10:13

Jesus is describing himself as the Good Shepherd, a particularly good analogy considering how unintelligent and easily led sheep are. He is setting up a contrast between himself, the owner and "compassionate father" of the sheep, and a hired servant...a person who has little invested in the flock and would abandon it to save himself.

I know that this passage is only speaking of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, but the term hired hand catches my eye because of the times I've heard church pastors referred to as "hired hands" or "hired guns." Even without the label being affixed, many church members see a paid pastor as the one whose "job" is to do ministry. I hate this thought process. Ephesians 4 is very clear that my job is to prepare and equip God's people to do ministry.

But even more, I hate the thought that I would ever find myself in the position of sacrificing "the flock" (God's Church) for self-preservation or self-betterment or even using God's Church for any selfish ambitions or personal gain. I am not the Good Shepherd, but I hope to be a good shepherd. That is what God has called me to.

My Prayer: God please continue to develop in me the unconditional love for your church. Help me never take lightly the responsibility you've given me as a leader and let me never be a "hired hand." Help me love your church more than I love myself... Help me grow to be a good shepherd.