PSALM 23
Psalm 23:1-6
Summer of Psalms Message Series
July 2, 2017
Pastor Nathan J. Thompson
One of the most beloved images in the Bible is the picture of God (of Jesus) being the Shepherd and of God’s children being the sheep. The 23rd Psalm proclaims this truth: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Jesus says in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Also Matthew 9:36 tells us that when Jesus “saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus then calls together his twelve disciples and sends them out as “sheep in the midst of wolves;” he sends them out into the harvest to bring the love (new life) of Jesus to all.
Truth is this image of being sheep in need of a shepherd is one that is difficult for many individuals to relate to today. This whole culture pretty much tells people that they are strong like lions. Most individuals were brought up to believe that they are the masters of their own destiny; that they can master by themselves whatever challenges they may face.
The prevailing idea is that through knowledge and technology human beings are in control; there is nothing that cannot eventually be figured out. There is often a built in independence that tells people they can handle life on their own simply with stubborn perseverance. In fact for someone to admit they can’t do something; that they need help is a sign of weakness/failure.
However the Bible says you are like sheep which is not a very flattering image. Sheep (as many of you in this community know very well) are really a pretty helpless animal. They are an animal that will sometimes innocently wander away from the rest of the flock while grazing; are sometimes completely unaware of the dangers of wild animals waiting to attack.
Sheep are also animals that are not very large in size. They do not have a ferocious growl or sharp teeth to fight off predators. They are not very fast runners so they don’t stand a chance of being able to run away from danger. They are pretty docile and innocent.
Therefore through the years sheep have always needed a farmer (shepherd) to care for them and protect them. They have needed a shepherd to lead them to food and green pastures; to sense danger and help ward off predators. Without a shepherd (farmer) few sheep would ever survive.
The Bible then is saying that you are like sheep. Yet what an insult! I mean look at all that human beings have accomplished through the years. Look at all the breakthroughs; the medical discoveries; the economic gains. Look at all the academic achievements; historical insights; the problem solving systems. How can anyone accuse people of being like sheep?
Yet the Bible is true; each person is a sheep. No matter how far some think they have evolved as people, humanity is no different now than at anytime in history. As intelligent and sophisticated as humans think they are, they are all helpless like sheep.
Just look at how easily individuals follow the crowd and wander away from the solid ground. Just look at how people wander into things that leave them vulnerable to the attack of temptations and destructive choices. Many lives and relationships have been ruined because we are really pretty innocent, vulnerable, and willing to follow the crowd like sheep.
How often have you heard of a successful business person; teacher/principal/superintendant; pastor; husband/wife; who had everything going for them yet gave it all up through a dishonest decision; through an affair; through sexting a student; through what began as simply social fun but led to a dependence on alcohol/drugs. Each person (no matter who they are) is vulnerable.
Also just look at the forces of nature and of this world. Tornadoes that indiscriminately strike communities. A car hits a patch of ice and a family is killed. Cancer comes out of the blue even with healthy living and no family history. A person who is the image of health has a heart attack; stroke; neurological illnesses like Parkinson's/Alzheimer's. Are any of you in control?
No you are all sheep. Therefore the truth is that you need a shepherd. However be assured—that is the greatest and most wonderful news of all. The Lord is our Shepherd—Jesus is our good shepherd. He is the one who is there to watch over and guide you each day. He is the one who gave up his life for your sake so you might live.
Yet how can you know; trust; believe in the Good Shepherd? Truth is it means that you first of all admit you are but sheep. It means that you repent of trying to live life on your own terms apart from Jesus. It means that you lay your sins and helplessness at Jesus’ feet; that you put your faith and trust in him.
If any of you here today are wandering like sheep; if you are in dangerous territories trying to live life by yourself; if you are innocently living on false hope that nothing bad can happen to you—be assured that Jesus knows your vulnerability. He knows you and loves you with his whole being. Won’t you allow him to be your shepherd and friend?
Growing up we had this picture in our home of Jesus with a lamb in his arms. The image represents the parable Jesus told of the Shepherd leaving the 99 sheep; searching diligently for the one that was lost. It is a beautiful picture of bringing the lost sheep home to Jesus.
Jesus says in John 10:14-16, “I am the good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 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 will be one flock and one Shepherd.”
Jesus is very clear throughout his teachings that the purpose (mission) of his church (the calling for us his followers) is to reach out to the lost. Jesus' calling is to leave the security of the 99; to care for those who have wandered away from him; to those who are spiritually homeless; to those who are simply wrapped up in all the stuff of this world.
This is definitely a major (focus/priority) for Jesus. In fact he says that “there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents…” Jesus makes it clear that his church is not to be a country club; a self-help group; some kind of member clique. God’s heart (passion) in this world is always for the wandering; for the straying sheep.
This is also the central mission here at Messiah Lutheran Church. With the church named “Messiah,” this should remind you that Messiah's purpose is to announce to the world that Jesus is the Messiah; that Jesus is the Lord (the Savior) of the world. It means that everything this church does should proclaim that Jesus (the Messiah) is “the way, the truth, and the life.”
Several years ago at a conference I heard the speaker Gabe Lyons—he is the co-author of the book, “UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity and Why It Really Matters.” It is a well-regarded research book that reveals some of the growing perceptions of culture today concerning Christianity.
The surveys (statistics) Gabe Lyons points to are not very encouraging for the future of the church. In fact they show that there is an increasing amount of skepticism today about the relevance of the church; about the certainty of those things Christians believe as truth. It is very discouraging news for the future of Christ’s church.
However Gabe Lyons (along with other conference speakers) talked about the great possibilities there is for the church to reach this generation if we are willing to change as a church; willing to reach out in new ways. It is going to take Christians living in authentic (not hypocritical ways)—shining God’s love to others at work; among their friends: in the community.
The challenge is whether individual churches (church people) are willing to stop focusing mainly on the 99 sheep; mainly upon the in-crowd; mainly on what makes the 99 happy (worship like they like it; barriers that keep those not like them out; etc.).
Rather will the church do whatever they can to reach the one; to reach the the countless (and growing) numbers of sheep who are wandering and lost in life today?
Jesus said, “I have other sheep that are not part of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.” The Psalmist says, “The Lord is my Shepherd”—he is truly the Shepherd of all. May God continue to bless Messiah as you keep using relevant worship; technology; care in the community; ministry to children/youth; authentic lives (examples) of faith.
The Lord is our Shepherd—he is the Shepherd of all people; of all races/cultures; of all nations.