WATCHWORD:
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So, when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:11-18
Meditation:
Psalm 23, Part #1
I’ve been reading Philip Keller’s book A Shepard looks at Psalm 23. Keller grew up and lived in East Africa surrounded by native herders who whose livelihood closely mirrored shepherds in the Middle East. For a number years, he actually made his livelihood as a sheep owner and sheep rancher. So, he brings to his understanding of the Shepherd Psalm a slightly different perspective than those of us who are more ‘city-folk’.
When were you introduced to psalm 23? I have vivid memories as a child trying to memorize this psalm. My frustration was not so much in memorizing the words as trying to imagine that I was a sheep to the Lord, who was my shepherd. I wasn’t sure I would like having oil on my head.
As I read Keller’s book and Psalm 23, I got a different, maybe clearer perspective of the, often misunderstood, symbolism of David’s poetry.
Let’s take just a few phrases, for now, and try to see what David, the shepherd who became king, was saying. We start with “The Lord is my Shepherd.” We sit on this side of the Resurrection so we know who the ‘Lord’ is. Jesus verified this when he said, “I am the good shepherd.” You may note that in this same passage, Jesus refers to his own resurrection and his relationship with God. He is God incarnate, creator of all things.
If we pause to reflect on the person of Christ — on his power and upon his achievements — then like David we will be glad to state proudly, “The Lord – He is my Shepherd.”
“I shall not want.” The meaning seems clear here. Want would seem to mean we lack for nothing under His care. Which is true. However, if we dig a little deeper, we conclude that ‘not want’ would refer to contentment, peace, calmness, not craving or desiring anything.
There is more to this then meets our minds. I wonder, are we completely satisfied with Jesus’ management of our lives? If we aren’t, maybe we are on the wrong page. Our Lord and Savior is the ‘Sheepman’ to whom no trouble is too great as He cares for us. He is in charge of our ‘fold’ and He loves us sheep. He will, if necessary, be on-the-job 24 hours a day to see that we are properly provided for in every detail. After all he Is very jealous of His name and His reputation as the Good Shepherd. So be it.
Bulletin Board:
Cart before horse – Whoa back! This is what happens when you have a rank amateur drive a new website. So, sorry about this. The above Meditation, Psalm 23, Part #1, was supposed to be the introduction to three parts of Psalm 23. Knowing how very intelligent you-all are, you probably noticed the ‘Part #2’ on Tuesday. Please just roll with it. It is a lesson I think I have learned. We shall see when Friday comes around and, hopefully, you will find ‘Part #3’.
Changing the subject — Isn’t the new Watchword site nice, even beautiful? I took that picture of the bridge, that is featured on the site, a number of years ago when walking the Cedar Falls Trail in Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas, a lovely slice of the beautiful Ouachita Mountains.
Prayer:
Psalm 23 — Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
On the first day of the week, a psalm for David. The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof: the world, and all they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the rivers. 3 Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour. 5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob. 7 Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in. 8 Who is this King of Glory? the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in. 10 Who is this King of Glory? the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.So be it (Amen)
