Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd. I’m guessing that with that little prompt, some of you could finish the Psalm, maybe without thinking about it. Others of you may think about a recent funeral where you hear it read. It is popular at funerals because these words bring comfort and consolation. And yet, I firmly believe that Psalm 23 is not just for funerals. It is a good word for us to hold onto today – in our living, not just in our dying. And so I invite you to hear it again – hopefully with fresh ears.
The Lord is my Shepherd. What does this mean? Have you ever seen a Shepherd? I’m not talking about a picture a kind looking man with a shepherd’s crook surrounded by adoring sheep against a background of rolling and sometimes scraggy hills, but an actual person doing the job we read about so often in the Bible? Most of the time I’ve that I’ve seen sheep, they have been in pens, not wandering freely over the hillside. But in Biblical times, sheep grazing on the hillside under the watch of a shepherd was a common site. Throughout the Old Testament kings were urged to care for their people like a shepherd cares for the sheep. Everyone knew what that meant. And so when Jesus said, I AM the Good Shepherd, the image was clear for who Jesus was revealing himself to be. But does that image still work today?
The first time I saw actual shepherds watching sheep on a hillside was when I was in Israel as a college student. Our group was stranded by the side of a hot and dusty road and so some girlfriends and I decided to seek some shade at the top of the nearby hill – and we accidentally happened upon a couple of Bedouin shepherdesses, dressed in long grey robes. We were curious about them – and they were curious about us. But language failed us. We were reduced to sign language. Pointing to our clothes and then theirs – they showed us that beneath the drab grey robes they wore for protection from the sun and sand, they wore colorful sparkly outfits. It was delightful to meet them – but it didn’t really help me understand what it meant to be a shepherd.
So what is a Shepherd? According to the 23rd Psalm, a shepherd is one who provides food and water, care and protection for their sheep – who often wander off, looking for the next piece of grass, not thinking about where they are. Maybe a current day image would be Preschool teachers who care for little ones, watching over them, calling them by name, making sure they eat their lunch and take a nap. Or someone caring for their pet.
But the Psalmist is making a bigger claim than just having his basic needs met. When we say, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” this is a statement of faith and a claim on God. The Lord is MY Shepherd. So I invite you to make that claim right now outloud – I’ll do it first: The Lord is MY Shepherd – so I want you to say it with me and to emphasize the word MY:
All: The Lord is MY Shepherd.
And, as Christians we proclaim that Jesus is both Lord and the Good Shepherd, so we can say, “Jesus is MY Shepherd.” Now I want you to put the emphasis on both the words “Jesus” and “My”
Say: Jesus is My Shepherd.
So what does that mean? Psalmist writes that “I shall not want.” Sorry - This does not mean that God will give you everything that you desire. Instead, it literally means, “I shall lack nothing that I need.” These are the basics: food, water, a place to rest. In Biblical times, churning water was the sign of chaos. Jesus, the Shepherd, provides you with still - or quiet – waters. But it isn’t just the physical body that Jesus, our Shepherd cares for. You and I can also proclaim that Jesus my Shepherd shepherd also “restores my soul.” And, Jesus has promised to not only walk with you but to lead you on the right paths.
Former Bishop Mark Hanson told a story about when he was a young intern. His internship was in Wyoming and his supervisor thought it would be a good idea for him to get to know some of the ranchers. So, he went out to a ranch expecting to read a little Bible verse and give communion to the rancher. But, when he got there, the rancher said to him, “Glad you are here. I could use a little help today. Could you go and bring the sheep in from the pasture? The doc is coming out later today and they need to be checked. Glad to be of service, Mark said, “Sure.” The Rancher said, Great – and handed him a bucket of corn saying, “You may need this.” Mark took the bucket of corn but kind of wondered what he could do with one bucket of corn and a whole flock of sheep. But he didn’t want to appear dumb so he just took it and headed out to the field.
The sheep were scattered all over the big field – this was Wyoming after all. So Mark headed to the farthest sheep on the right side of the field and tried to chase them back into the herd - kind of like a sheepdog. And then he went to the left side of the field and tried to chase those sheep. But he realized that the first sheep that he had chased had wandered off again. And he was getting tired. And then… he remembered the bucket. He grabbed the bucket, went to the front the field of sheep and tapped the bucket and swirled the corn around. The head of the sheep went up and suddenly they started walking towards him. And so swirling the corn and walking slowly back to the barnyard, Mark learned how to lead the sheep.
Jesus, our Shepherd, leads us on right paths too because that is who he is – our shepherd, our leader, our redeemer, our Savior.
This is why, regardless of the situation that you may find yourself in – even the darkest valley, the scariest neighborhood, the worst diagnosis, the hottest fire, the worst war, you do not need to fear. It’s not that the situation isn’t bad. It may be the worst day/ year/ time of your life. But, regardless of that, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, has promised to be with you.
And yet fear has a way of making us forget that we are not alone. And so I want you to repeat after me: Even though I walk through the darkest valley – Together: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley” I fear no evil. Together “I fear no evil.” For you are with me “For you are with me.”
Did you notice: I fear no evil. That is in the present tense. That is now. And each time you say this Psalm. Jesus, our Shepherd is with me, with you, with us. Now.
This is just what Jesus promised, “I am with you” – the Greek word for that is EMMANUEL. It is one of the last things that Jesus promises in the Gospel of Matthew: I am with you ALWAYS”
The shepherd also has tools – a rod – symbolizing kingship – and a staff – the tool of a shepherd. One side is meant to hook and to pull. The other side is… well… the other side is like stick.
In verse 5, Jesus the Shepherd King becomes the host, providing a banquet for you in the presence of your enemies. I suppose you could take that to mean that you get to sit down and dine while your enemies watch… but…Jesus ate with his enemies – even the one who betrayed him. So, it is more likely that Jesus, the Host, is inviting you and your enemies to come and dine at HIS table where there is an abundance to share, so much so that your cup overflows. There is plenty for all.
The last verse is usually translated: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. But the Hebrew word that is translated as mercy also means love and the word follow is more accurately translated as “pursue.” So hear this: Surely God’s Goodness, mercy and love will pursue me all the days of my life. I want you to say that verse with me. I’ll say it first and you repeat: Surely God’s Goodness, mercy and love; will pursue me all the days of my life.
Friends, in our world in which you are daily bombarded with bad news of wars, violence, lies hypocrisy and challenges to our freedom as well as the personal challenges of health and daily needs and challenges, or mourning the loss of loved ones, into all of that, I invite you to remember – to set in front of you the 23rd Psalm. It is a reminder that Jesus is Your Shepherd and will always be with you. And, that God’s goodness, mercy and love will pursue you all the days of your life. Thanks be to God. Amen.