December 21, 2013 (John 9, 10, 11)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.” John 10:12-13 NLT
Observation: Jesus knew all about the false teachers and false prophets. Satan always tries to distort the truth and turn it into an easy lie. Here Jesus states clearly that He is the gate for the sheep and the true sheep enter through Him and then follow His voice. Trying to enter in any other way, or trying to lead others in any other way, makes you a thief and a robber! True sheep do not listen to these false teachers because they know and follow the real voice of Christ. How do the true sheep know the real voice of Christ? They spend time listening to Him speak through His word. He is the good shepherd that lay down His life for the sheep. He did not shepherd the flock for money, but rather for love. When the wolf attacks the good shepherd will sacrifice His own life to save the sheep. A false teacher will run away when times get tough and the money runs out!
Application: Many American pastors need to study John chapter 10 in more detail. I’ve witnessed it far too many times, churches split, right after the pastor split, right after all the money was split. Ministry in America has become big business and I personally don’t believe that is what God intended ministry to be. Too many folks now days are looking for “paid” positions in some fancy large church so they can “do” full time ministry. Malarkey! If you are called of God into ministry you are in it full time! You may make tents, build houses, or even sale in the market place to support your family, but you are in ministry full time. I’m thoroughly convinced that if you stopped paying pastors, and they had to get jobs and work like the rest of us, many of them would forsake the flock and the ministry all together. This is a sad reality, yet this truth continues to unfold far too often. A good shepherd feeds his flock before he feeds from his flock. A good shepherd would give his life for his flock and would tend to them for not a dime! By the way, I’m not against pastors being paid but I have much more respect for one that works like the rest of us. And my experience with them is they are much more humble and committed.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for being a perfect example of a good shepherd. Thank You for being our provision and providing all we need according to Your riches in heaven. Help us to labor for You out of love, not for filthy lucre’s sake. Keep us unspotted from this sinful world and prepare us for Your presence, in Jesus name, Amen!