The Shepherd

Psalm- Praises, Prayers

As I read the Vanderbilt Lectionary Readings this week, I found a Shepherd theme. The Old Testament readings came from Samuel and Jeremiah, both prophets. In Samuel, the story is

about King David, who was speaking to his prophet Nathan about the fact that he, David, lives in a beautiful house of cedar, and the Lord still lives in a tent. Nathan said to David to do what he thinks he should do, perhaps build the Lord a house. But that night the Lord spoke to Nathan in his sleep and told him this:

Samuel 7:8

Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel,

7:12

When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.

7:13

He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

7:14a

I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.

So David was chosen because he knew how to shepherd sheep, and that he would shepherd his people as well. This is also a prophecy of the coming of Jesus, who would build God a house- the church.

In Jeremiah there is a different tone of shepherding:

Jeremiah 23:1

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD.

23:3

Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.

23:4

I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall no longer fear or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD.

This is also considered a prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, and again you see the goodness that a shepherd can do for his sheep.

In the epistle Ephesians, the apostle Paul is speaking to the Gentiles:

Eph2:13

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

2:14

For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.

2:15

abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace.

So, the shepherd picture here is that Jesus has united us all into one. None are excluded from His kingdom, just as a shepherd cares for all of his sheep.

And in the gospel of Mark:

Mark 6:56

And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed Jesus loved all and cared for all, as shepherds do for their sheep.

The 23rd psalm puts it all together:

23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

We, like sheep, can go astray, and it’s so reassuring knowing that we have a shepherd to guide us and take care of us.

23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;

King James:“He maketh me to lie down”. I think he made us to live in peace, beauty. Even if the world around us is falling apart, we can have peace in our souls in knowing that He made this world and us, and will take care of us.

23:3 he restores my soul.

I find that when I’m running around in a tizzy, I have to stop myself and take a moment to pray and rest. I always feel restored and ready to move on.

He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.

King James: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness. I think those are two different meanings. One is that He’s keeping us from going astray, the other is that he’s leading us to do the right thing in the world.

23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-- they comfort me.

We all go through troubled times, but God tells us to “be not afraid”. God is with us all the time. He will not desert us. He will help us get through our troubles.

23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

I picture us sitting at the table with our enemies and sharing a meal- communion. And God anointing my head with oil- like a massage, caressing me, showing love. My cup overflows: I am overwhelmed with joy and peace and love.

23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life

Goodness and Mercy will follow me- God will take care of me through my whole life.

And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.

King James: “Dwell in the house of the Lord forever”. I like that better- I want heaven!

Amen