SHEEPFOLD PARABLES: THE HIRELING
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Sheepfold Parables
a) The Sheepfold Parables in John chapter 10 contrast the Shepherd first to a stranger, then to a thief, and lastly to a hireling, and show how we must ensure that we follow him and not them.
b) John chapter ten contains parables that liken the kingdom of God to a sheepfold. Christ is the Shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice. He is also the door (or gate) of the sheepfold, and only through him can one enter God’s kingdom. It is a great mistake to follow any other shepherd or try to enter heaven by any other gate.
c) What is a Sheepfold?
i) A “Sheepfold” is a secure walled enclosure in which sheep are penned when not out to pasture in care of the shepherd. The sheepfold might be a permanent barn-like enclosure for shelter, an outdoor holding pen with stone walls, or a makeshift barricade of briars and crisscrossed pointed sticks. A single narrow opening was provided for entry and exit. If there was no secure door or gate, a keeper would guard the entrance or at night sleep across it. The purpose of the sheepfold was to keep the flock together, keep out wolves or dogs, and to make it difficult for thieves or vandals to steal or harm the sheep. A flock of sheep is a very valuable but vulnerable asset. A good shepherd knows and loves his sheep and guards them with his life against all predators. He keeps his flock together and fetches back any sheep that stray. A sheepfold was necessary for the protection of the flock.
2. The Hireling
John 10:12-13
12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.
a) A hireling is neither a stranger nor a thief. He is a legitimate carer. But he is in it only for the money. He is not the shepherd, and does not own the sheep, therefore they are not his life. He puts his own life ahead of them. If a wolf comes, the hireling runs away to protect himself. He is not willing to endanger his life for the sake of the sheep. Jesus is here making reference to the Jewish religious leaders who had some legitimacy since they were appointed by the law. They however did not have their hearts in the right place and put their own lives ahead of the welfare of the people they served. The people were consequently "like sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34).
The End ...
1. Sheepfold Parablesa) The Sheepfold Parables in John chapter 10 contrast the Shepherd first to a stranger, then to a thief, and lastly to a hireling, and show how we must ensure that we follow him and not them.
b) John chapter ten contains parables that liken the kingdom of God to a sheepfold. Christ is the Shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice. He is also the door (or gate) of the sheepfold, and only through him can one enter God’s kingdom. It is a great mistake to follow any other shepherd or try to enter heaven by any other gate.
c) What is a Sheepfold?
i) A “Sheepfold” is a secure walled enclosure in which sheep are penned when not out to pasture in care of the shepherd. The sheepfold might be a permanent barn-like enclosure for shelter, an outdoor holding pen with stone walls, or a makeshift barricade of briars and crisscrossed pointed sticks. A single narrow opening was provided for entry and exit. If there was no secure door or gate, a keeper would guard the entrance or at night sleep across it. The purpose of the sheepfold was to keep the flock together, keep out wolves or dogs, and to make it difficult for thieves or vandals to steal or harm the sheep. A flock of sheep is a very valuable but vulnerable asset. A good shepherd knows and loves his sheep and guards them with his life against all predators. He keeps his flock together and fetches back any sheep that stray. A sheepfold was necessary for the protection of the flock.
2. The Hireling
John 10:12-13
12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.
a) A hireling is neither a stranger nor a thief. He is a legitimate carer. But he is in it only for the money. He is not the shepherd, and does not own the sheep, therefore they are not his life. He puts his own life ahead of them. If a wolf comes, the hireling runs away to protect himself. He is not willing to endanger his life for the sake of the sheep. Jesus is here making reference to the Jewish religious leaders who had some legitimacy since they were appointed by the law. They however did not have their hearts in the right place and put their own lives ahead of the welfare of the people they served. The people were consequently "like sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34).
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