The Great Shepherd

Words are powerful.

We know this to be true. Think of the words spoken to you already this day. Which were most powerful?

Metaphors are powerful words.

Our ability to use words to express emotion and elicit emotion is powerful.

Life clouds our ability to interact Scripture.

Though we like to state Scripture alone we must be aware none of us, including myself, ever read to Words of Scripture from a “blank slate”. We each have our own way of thinking about things which has been shaped by life.

Psalm 23 is very well known.

This can be a good thing but also a hinderance. Most of us have been at a funeral where this was the passage chosen. I, too, use this Psalm at times for funerals. Unfortunately, this can also seer into our minds the image of death with the Psalm.

The context of this Psalm is Psalm 22 and 24.

I believe the structure of Scripture is also inspired by the Holy Spirit. This mean, at least to me and others, the “chapters” as we call them are not primarily sequential always but intentional and theological.

Rules and leaders were called shepherds.

This where the metaphor starts to gain power. David is not just using this imagery to talk about his upbringing, his experience and life but about who He felt was in control of things.

A trusted leader provides—God provides.

This is not a statement of prosperity as we may understand. God will not give us everything we want. He will however sustain us.

A leader guides—God directs our path.

Sometimes we must be willing to submit to the path ahead for God knows the full picture.

There is a right path.

This path leads to life and glorification/praising of God.

Darkness lurks but Jesus is there.

The word here is a very interesting one with great debate over what David means. Is it talking about death or just the darkest of the darkest. The reason for no fear is not because of what is happening but who is there.

Jesus is able to defeat any enemy.

Jesus has the tools necessary to help. He ultimately defeated death and so he can be trusted.

God is the ultimate host.

The imagery here is deeply intimate and personal. However, it was not individual. Part of the imagery/metaphor was of a leader who would eat with another leader as a way of saying, we are in this together.

God’s presence is our refuge.

David and all of Israel saw God’s presence in the sanctuary. There is tucked away in the OT commands about how someone can seek asylum from those around, for unintentional sins. One of those was to run to the temple and grab the horns of the altar.

Is Christ your shepherd and leader?

Ultimately this Psalm forces us to answer this question. For David, God was his shepherd, leader and guide. Is the same true of us this day?