The Hired Hand

I miss being in Jordan watching flocks of sheep move across the hills, each one led by a shepherd. I can still see the dust rising from the stony path, hear the soft clang of bells swaying from the sheep’s neck like a scattered chorus echoing through the streets. I miss seeing the shepherd—staff or stone in hand—guiding with quiet authority, warning with glance or whistle.

Jesus tells us a story of a Good Shepherd to describe His relationship with His followers.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” -John 10:11

The Good Shepherd knows his sheep by name, and they know His voice. He leads them out and they follow Him because they trust Him. He lays down his life for them. He tells them about other flocks who will hear His voice and will also become one with Him. In other words, it’s not just for the jew—but also the gentile. There is a personal intimacy, a sacrificial protection, and a unity of the flock He Shepherds.

He contrasts Himself with the hired hand who cares for the sheep only when it’s convenient. When danger comes the hired hand does not stay to protect the sheep.

“The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not know the sheep, sees the wolf coming, abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” - John 10:12-13

The hired hand lacks true ownership. The sheep aren’t seen as his responsibility the way the Shepherd does. He acts out of self interest. Likely not even evil, maybe he needs the money to support his family. He doesn’t act out of love and loyalty for the sheep. When danger comes, he chooses safety over sacrifice, leaving the sheep vulnerable. The shepherd doesn’t distance himself from the sheep when danger is eminent. His commitment, courage, and compassion is our rear guard.

Photo by Peyman TDR on Unsplash

I’ve been in vocational ministry and wrestled with the cost of shepherding in high persecution environments, in trial, and in war. Sometimes I felt consumed by the sheep and in need of personal shepherding while discerning a wolf lurking among us, let alone, sheep bites sometimes hurt worse than wolf bites. When real danger comes—when the wolf draws near—structures can falter, and well meaning leaders (like me) may retreat. There are limits to organizational ministry. Programs can support and institutions can guide—but they cannot replace the presence of a shepherd who knows the sheep by name, attuned to every spot, limp, and blemish. Not all who serve among the sheep are shepherds. Some are placed by structure, by roles, by part. They labor with good intent, perhaps even with great care.

What do we do and where do we go when the wolf comes or the fellow sheep bite and no one is there?

Human frailty tells a tale of a flock, though sturdy, may fail to love like the Good Shepherd. He stays through the darkness and shoulders the blame. True shepherding flows not from a role or demand, but by nail-scarred hands. So let us bless the labor but seek something more. When the sheep are wounded and weary, what they need is not a hired hand doing a job, but a shepherd who stays because love won’t let him leave.