Our Reading: Psalm 23 and John 10:11-18

This Psalm is one of the most well known and recited of all of the Psalms. It’s a beautiful, comforting depiction of being cared for as a good shepherd would care for one of his cherished sheep. Even as a child, I didn’t understand all of the references but I still understood the importance of being able to trust the Good Shepherd, Jesus. As an adult, the Psalm has taken on even deeper meaning as I have learned more about the care of sheep. 

Perhaps you are familiar with these aspects of shepherding or perhaps you too will learn some interesting things about fluffy, dependent sheep. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: Sheep easily panick. A calming technique used by shepherds is to gently force the sheep to  lay down. This helps to comfort them  and refocus them to feed quietly on the grass.

He leadeth me beside the still waters. Sheep are afraid of running water. Shepherds will often use rocks, etc. to create a little pool of quiet standing water and then the sheep will drink. 

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Sheep are flock animals but can also be prone to wandering and the shepherd will have to find them and bring them back to the fold. He will even carry them back if they can not walk on their own.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death: I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.  The shepherd was equipped to protect his sheep. Common tools included a rod or club used as a weapon to defend the sheep from predators. He also carried a staff with a crook that would hook around a sheep’s neck or limb to nudge and guide it away from danger. He would personally lead them through new and dangerous terrain as he moved them from one grazing area to another. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Tables in biblical times could refer to the grassy field areas, known as mesas where sheep would graze. The shepherd would inspect the fields for danger before allowing the sheep to graze there.

Thou anointest my head with oil: Shepherds would place oil on the sheep for protection from various insects and skin conditions they were prone to. 

With the Good Shepherd, Jesus, watching over us, protecting us, comforting us, and restoring us, we are provided with an abundant life. If you are one of His sheep you can say:

My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

Reflection: 

1. The most important question of your life: Do you have a Good Shepherd? Are you part of the Savior’s cherished flock? 
2. Are you prone to wander off on your own in search of “greener pastures”?
3. Do you trust and find comfort in the guidance and protection of the Good Shepherd when you must enter those dark valleys of life?
4. Have you given thanks today for the abundant blessings of His love, His mercy, His protection and His provision in your life?

Prayer: We thank you for being such a Good Shepherd to us. You gently lead us and guide us. You protect us from dangers and from the enemy who lays in wait to ensnare and harm us. You know how to calm us when we are afraid and anxious. You love us enough to go after us when we lose our way and wander. You provide our every need and even more than we need. Thank you that you cause our cup to overflow with your abundant blessings. 

Monday, John 10

The timeliness of the Bible never ceases to amaze me. When I reread John 10, the current political climate and upcoming election jumped first and foremost in my mind. With all of the fighting, divisiveness, and false promises made on both sides by those looking to see their party in power, the peace, honesty, and love shown by the Lord shines all the more brightly. For Jesus isn’t some hired hand, nor is He a politician looking for a job. He is our King, our Savior, and the only door

How many times have you heard the word “sheep”, or “sheeple” thrown around as of late? It’s the current term for people that blindly follow their favorite political party, no questions asked. How appropriate since Jesus Himself uses this same comparison. In His parable of the Good Shepherd, the politicians of His time were the scribes and Pharisees. They were the hired hands of the Jewish government; the shepherds mistreating the Lord’s flock. They used the Law for their own personal gain, while burdening the people with added amendments and regulations. They enjoyed the profit, piety and prominence of their positions, while caring nothing for God’s sheep with whom they were entrusted.

Jesus calls these Pharisee sheep herders, thieves who come to “steal and kill and destroy”. (vs. 10) By denying Christ as the only means to salvation, these false teachers were robbing the people of the truth, and leading them on the path to destruction. They cared only for themselves and their own glory, thinking nothing of throwing God’s flock to the wolves, especially if it meant saving themselves. But, “I am the good shepherd.”, declares the Lord. “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 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. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know My own and My own know Me.” (vs. 11-14)

Unlike any government, politician, or leader, Jesus not only said He would sacrifice Himself for His sheep, He did it! He willingly laid down His life and shed His precious blood so that every sheep in His flock can spend eternity with Him. And not only does He promise life, but wants us to, “have it abundantly.” (vs. 10) 

“Do you know how Jesus gives us abundant life? He does so by giving us Himself! You could have all the money, relationships, wealth, and power, but you would still have a deep sense of emptiness, because life isn’t found in these things. The only One who can truly satisfy you is Jesus Christ. To live the abundant Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life through us. His love motivates and empowers us, so we obey Him out of joy and thankfulness.”...Dr. Charles Stanley.

The year 2020 sure has been something. And the fact that’s it’s ending with a very contentious election seems almost par for the course. But no matter who is president, or what party is in power, I will be proud to be a sheep in the flock of Jesus. For His is an inclusive flock, a flock gathered by love, and a flock led by the one and only Good Shepherd. He knows me and I know Him. He calls me His, I call Him Master, and I will follow wherever He leads.