Observe what Jesus Himself said, "I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (Jn. 10:11) He is not a hireling who will take to his heels because he cares nothing for the sheep. He will stick His neck out.
To buttress this point, He adds; "I am the gate .." (Jn. 10:9) to the sheep pen. Any robber (satan) who comes through the gate has an evil intention - "to steal and kill and destroy." (Jn.10:10)
By saying these things Jesus is asserting Himself as our Protector who unlike the hireling and the thief have a hidden agenda.
He does this not out of self- interest. Listen: "I have come that (you) may have life and have it more abundantly". (Jn. 10:10) Remember our Jesus will leave the 99 sheep that are safe in the pen to go after one lost sheep and bring it back to safety.
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"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts in rebellion." (Hebs. 3:7)
He vows to do everything for our good.
