"My Good Shepherd”

In Jesus Holy Name April 21, 2024

Text: Psalm 23:1-3, John 10:11 Redeemer

“My Good Shepherd”

Psalm 23, may be the most familiar and favorite of all the psalms. The affirmation of God as our good shepherd implies a truth that touches a deep place within our souls. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The words of the Psalm bring comfort in difficult days, because of God’s promise. “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul”. After a stressful week or month of work, there is nothing better than to find yourself near a quiet stream with the steady tumble of water rippling over gravel, swirling around boulders, to calm a busy mind. (from Psalm 23 The Higher Calling)

How many of your visits to Yosemite National Park required a few moments on the walking bridge, just to watch as the water tumbles by. It requires a moment of quiet reflection and brings refreshment. We need our souls restored. We need times of quiet.

Research states that over 70 million Americans can’t sleep. At night, instead of resting their head on a pillow and drifting off to sleep their mind races ahead. A thousand and one obligations will not disappear. Why are we so tired? Is it because we are willing to put in longer hours, in order to hold on to a job. Of course, we have obligations to meet. Credit card debts to pay. Money to be made. Degrees to earn. Ladders to be climbed. In 1910 Americans slept nine hours a night, today we sleep seven and we are proud of it.

I’m afraid we long for the days of Huck Finn and Tom floating down the Mississippi. Listen to the words again. “…He makes me lie down ..where? in green pastures. He leads me beside what? ______(the still waters).” Who is the active one in those sentences? Who is in charge? The Shepherd! Our job is to watch the shepherd. Remember the Sabbath day is to be a day of rest.

For sheep to sleep, everything must be just right. No predators. No tension in the flock, no hunger. Unfortunately, sheep on their own cannot find safe pasture, nor a safe place to sleep. They need help. They need a shepherd to lead them, without a shepherd they cannot rest nor find safety at night. Jesus said, “I am the gate, all who came before are robbers, I am the gate, who ever enters the sheep pen through me will not only find protection but will be saved. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd will lay down his life to protect the sheep.”

“We are eternal creatures, we ask eternal questions: Where did I come from? Where am I going? What is the meaning of life? What is right? What is good? Is there life after death? If left unanswered, these questions will steal our rest.” (Max Lucado, Traveling Light p.39)

We love Psalm 23 and the words “Jesus is my good shepherd. But it was not so for the early Hebrews when Jesus compared Himself to a “good shepherd”. The reality in the first century Palestine was quite different. Shepherds held the lowest social and religious ranking. Why?

First, long hours with the sheep in distant pastures made it impossible to follow all the Jewish religious regulations. A shepherd simply could not comply with the requirements to be a fine, upstanding member of the local worship community.

Second, they often slept outside with their sheep on the hillsides and, well, frankly, they stank. Lack of daily hygiene made them the butt of many a joke. Third, shepherds rarely were actual sheep owners; most often they were "hirelings" paid low daily wages to watch someone else's sheep. Such "day workers" held little status in Jewish society of that time. (ibid. p. 41)

David penned the beautiful poem we know as Psalm 23 in which he compares God to a shepherd. Jesus took it further. He compared Himself, the Messiah, to a Good Shepherd who loves the sheep and gives up his life for them.

So why would Jesus compare Himself to a “shepherd” if in His own culture the role of the “shepherd” was a profession that was rejected? His words must have caused noses to turn up!

Jesus knows He is fulfilling all the Old Testament prophecies. God promised that

He would “tabernacle” with His people just as He did at Mt. Sinai. John in His gospel writes: We have seen the Glory of the One who “tented”, who made His dwelling in our midst. (John 1:14)