Ellen White on John 10:13: The Hireling vs. The Shepherd

John 10:13

13 The hireling flees, because he is an hireling, and cares not for the sheep.

John 10:13 describes the character of the hireling who flees in times of danger because he works only for wages and has no genuine concern for the flock3SG 122.3+1. This verse reveals a spirit of selfishness and a lack of the self-sacrificing love that characterizes the True ShepherdPP 191.1+1.

The Spirit of the Hireling

The hireling is defined by his motives, as he labors merely for personal gain rather than the interest of those under his chargePP 191.1.

• Self-Interest: He is continually studying his own profit, ease, and advantage instead of the welfare of the flock3SG 122.3+1.

• Unfaithfulness in Peril: When the wolf comes, he does not stand his ground to protect the sheep but flees to ensure his own safetyST December 4, 1893, par. 6+1.

• Lack of Ownership: Because the sheep are not his own, he feels no deep, personal responsibility for their lives or safetyPP 191.1+1.

• Mercenary Motivation: He views his duties as a disagreeable task and works only for the remuneration he receives1SP 115.2+1.

Contrast with the Good Shepherd

The True Shepherd stands in stark contrast to the hireling through His infinite sacrifice and personal careST November 20, 1893, par. 5.

• Total Devotion: While the hireling flees to save his life, the Good Shepherd willingly lays down His life for the sheep John 10:11GW 181.1.

• Personal Connection: Jesus knows each of His sheep by name and cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earthSJ 75.5+1.

• Constant Protection: He is always with His flock to defend them from wolves and lead them to safe pastures and living waters8LtMs, Ms 73, 1893, par. 9.

Lessons for Leaders and Parents

The warning against the hireling spirit applies to anyone in a position of trust, including ministers and parentsCE 158.2+1.

• Church Leadership: Ministers must not work in the spirit of a hireling, doing a stated amount of work for a stated reward, but must serve willingly and with a ready mind2T 345.3+1.

• Parental Responsibility: Mothers who sacrifice their duties to their children for fashionable pleasures or give their children over to hirelings are neglecting a sacred trust and may impart an unholy temperament to their offspringCD 226.5+1.

• Restitution and Judgment: Those who have oppressed the hireling in his wages or acted with selfishness in business transactions will face a fearful reckoning at the final judgment Malachi 3:52T 159.1+1.

Avoiding the Hireling Spirit

To be true undershepherds, we must be transformed by the grace of Christ and cultivate a spirit of self-forgetfulnessGW 184.2.

• Following the Pattern: We must learn to drink of the same cup as Christ and be baptized with His baptism of self-sacrifice1LtMs, Lt 9, 1857, par. 4+1.

• Restoring the Erring: Instead of having a cold indifference that says "let them go" when souls wander, we must manifest the undying care and tenderness of the Great Shepherd2T 18.2+1.

• Individual Experience: Every believer must learn to distinguish the voice of the True Shepherd from that of a stranger to avoid being led into unsafe paths John 10:4-51888 1001.3+1.

Ultimately, the reward of the faithful shepherd is to enter into the joy of the Lord, seeing souls saved through self-denial and unwearied labor 1 Peter 5:4T20 196.1. 🕊️

Jesus is indeed represented as the sheepfold, the door, and the Shepherd of His peopleSITI February 22, 1899, page 132.1. He is the entrance through which we must pass to find safety, the road we must travel, and the protective refuge that holds the flock togetherBEST December 9, 1895, page 381.11.

The Role of the Sheepfold

The sheepfold represents the church, the gathered flock of the Shepherd of IsraelNWAD FOLD.3. While many often view entering a fold as a curtailing of their liberty, it is actually the reverse, for outside of Christ is bondage, while in Him alone is true freedomSITI February 22, 1899, page 132.1.

• Christ as the Door: Jesus declares, "I am the door," and emphasizes that there is no other way to be saved than to enter through Him John 10:7YI February 1, 1874, par. 7.

• A Place of Pasture: Those who enter this fold through Him find safety and "go in and out, and find pasture" John 10:9ST December 4, 1893, par. 6.

• Protection from Predators: Within the fold, the sheep are to be nourished and defended from the attacks of wolvesRH October 24, 1893, par. 10.

The Unity of the Fold

The mission of the Good Shepherd is to gather His children from every nation and people into one unified body17LtMs, Lt 15, 1902, par. 9+1.

• Gathering the Scattered: Christ has "other sheep" who are not currently of the Jewish fold; He calls them from the Gentile world to hear His voice and become part of His people John 10:16LTJMB3 550.3+1.

• One Flock and One Shepherd: Ultimately, when His work is completed, there will be no more divisions, but one single fold under the guidance of one ShepherdLTJMB3 550.3+1.

• Safety in Numbers: In the fold of Jesus Christ, the sheep and lambs are gathered to be encouraged and fed with the sincere milk of the wordRH October 24, 1893, par. 10.

The Responsibility of the Under-shepherds

Leaders within the church are tasked with acting in the place of the Chief Shepherd to maintain the integrity of the foldTDC May 19, 1889, page 5.3.

• Guarding the Entrance: Deacons and elders must be suitable men who can be entrusted with the flock to ensure a wrong mold is not put upon the work7BC 914.11+1.

• Seeking the Lost: If one straying sheep wanders from the fold, it is the duty of the shepherd to leave the ninety and nine and search for the one that is lost until it is found and returned Luke 15:4SpM 112.2+1.

• An Example of Love: True under-shepherds do not rule as lords over the heritage but serve as examples, looking forward to the day the Chief Shepherd appears to give them a crown of glory 1 Peter 5:1-4GW 183.3+1.

Jesus is the only one who can meet the needs of the soul and lead us to a pathway of peaceSC 5.3. He has promised that no man is able to pluck His sheep out of His hand, ensuring that those within His fold are eternally secure so long as they trust in Him John 10:285MR 259.1+1. 🐑