The hired man may run away, but the Shepherd will not. When the wolf comes (the wolf will come, perhaps in sheep’s clothing), the hireling will flee, but the Shepherd will stay and defend His sheep. However, please notice Jesus Christ is not just the Shepherd. He is the Good Shepherd. This reminds me of the time when the rich young man came to Christ and said, "Good master." Christ asked him; why do you call me good? There is only one good and that is God. The young man did not call Him good after that. Here, Christ names Himself as the Good Shepherd. He is God; He is good.

How is the Good Shepherd different? He will give His life for His sheep. Jesus Christ did give His life for His sheep. "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Hebrews 13:20-21). Christ is the Great Shepherd. He literally shed His blood for His people, the blood of the everlasting covenant. He paid the price for the sin of His children. Now believers are to do the will of the Great Shepherd. Believers were lost even though they had been purchased, redeemed, 2,000 years ago. "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25). The Good Shepherd seeks, finds and brings in His lost sheep. They already were sheep. They already were His. He seeks and finds them, they do find Him but only after He has found them. He brings them into His flock and feeds them. Without Him, none would be found. With Him, all are found, for He is the Good Shepherd. He knows His job and never fails. He is not the mediocre shepherd. Christ is not the incompetent shepherd. This God-Man knows every sheep by name and calls them. They follow Him, for He is the Good Shepherd. He laid His life down for the sheep, and He took up His life again for His sheep. He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and Christ ever lives to make intercession for His children.

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