John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:12  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

Here in Saint John chapter ten is a beautiful word picture the Lord has painted for us concerning the Shepherd and the sheep. In this picture Jesus was both speaking to the present time in which He lived and was also speaking prophetically concerning His plans for the church. Included in the picture is also a warning and revelation concerning our arch enemy – the devil, along with others that the sheep should be alerted to.

What a clear and revealing image the Lord has created for us here of the devil by His illustration of the wolf. The spirit of the wolf is to scatter and devour. The devil’s specialty is division among the sheep and there is plenty of evidence in the world today that tells us he is still hard at work. By scattering out the sheep, they become more vulnerable and unable to survive the wolf’s vicious attack. Today many of God’s sheep are scattered and separated, not so much by miles as they are by beliefs and wounded spirits. There is nothing about the wolf that would indicate he cares about the sheep. He is not in the healing business but in the hurting business. A spirit of dividing, wounding and devouring defines who he is.

The hireling that Jesus mentions in this passage cares for himself. He cares not for the sheep and will run off and leave the sheep to fend for themselves when danger approaches. He does not possess the sacrificial heart that causes one to spend and be spent for others. As long as there is something in it for him, the hireling is often willing to remain with the sheep but let only the care of the sheep remain and he is soon to leave. While Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, His ministers are to serve as under-shepherds with the same caring heart and sacrificial spirit that He the Chief Shepherd possesses.

In the following verses the Apostle Peter informs us as to who is a true under-shepherd and caretaker of God’s sheep.
1Pe 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 
1Pe 5:3  Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 
1Pe 5:4  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
 
What a vast difference Peter has painted for us of God’s under-shepherds from those hirelings that Jesus spoke of.

Now let’s look at the heart of the Good Shepherd and the spirit that He possesses. In the following verse Jesus mentions one fold and His plan to bring all His sheep into that one fold. This really speaks of how much He cares for His sheep. We know in the Lord’s day there was a place of safety that shepherds had, where they would bring their sheep together for protection against those things that could harm them. They did not leave them scattered because they cared for their sheep.

Joh 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 

Jesus’ warnings concerning the wolf and the hirelings helps us to understand better God’s reasoning for bringing all His sheep into the one fold. It is at least in part for their protection. His words, “them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” is also a prophetic statement that will be completely fulfilled before the Lord’s return.  The divisions that we see in the realm of Christianity today should not be attributed to God. It is the wolf that scatters and causes divisions of God’s sheep. The spirit of the shepherd is to bring them together.

Many do not believe that the one fold concept will ever take place but neither did many believe in a flood that would cover the earth. Who would have thought the walls of Jericho would fall flat on the ground, the red sea divide, men be able to walk in flames of fire without being burnt, that God would come to earth as a man and the list goes on. In John chapter seventeen Jesus prayed that His church would be unified. Will that prayer be fulfilled? Will the spirit and efforts of the wolf to divide prevail in the end against the church or will it be the church and the spirit of the Shepherd that prevails. Jesus said that the church will prevail and all the opposition of the enemy cannot prevent it.

There are many that understand the one-fold concept, but we must understand this too – that it will take the Spirit of the Shepherd to bring the sheep together into that one fold.

Jesus made it plain that His sheep know His voice and another they will not follow. Any action or word that is different than His, will not serve to bring His true sheep together. We must be like Him. Every member, ministry and laity alike, are encouraged in The Church of God to make it their goal to pursue Christ’s image in their life.

Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 

Today, we see the world gathering together and uniting forces against God and His people. There seems to be no common thread among many of them that ties them together but there is a common spirit. Jesus informed us that because they hated Him and His truth, they will hate us too when we proclaim His truth.

Luke 21:17  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 
John 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

There is a hatred brewing in this world and will come to a climax in the day before the Lord’s return. The spirit of the wolf will dominate the hearts of many but we must be careful that this spirit does not find a place in our hearts. The spirit of the shepherd is not a compromising spirit but it is a caring spirit. Just as those under the influence of the evil one seems to be uniting, there will also be a uniting together of God’s true sheep. It is His voice that they will recognize and that will bring them together.