Second Sunday after Easter, 2002
Psalm 23

Few of us city dwellers know much about the habits of sheep. Phillip Keller is a man who does. He grew up in Eastern Africa surrounded by simple native herders. And as an adult in America, he spent eight years as a sheep owner and sheep rancher. Keller has done the Church a favor by using his rich background to pen a book called: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 .

Here is a sample of his knowledge. He writes:

It is not generally known that sheep are so timid and easily panicked that even a stray jackrabbit suddenly bounding from behind a bush can stampede a whole flock. When one startled sheep runs in fright a dozen others will bolt with it in blind fear, not waiting to see what frightened them.

One day a friend came to call on us from the city. She had a tiny Pekingese pup along. As she opened the car door the pup jumped out on the grass. Just one glimpse of the unexpected little dog was enough. In sheer terror over 200 of my sheep which were resting nearby leaped up and rushed off across the pasture.

As long as there is even the slightest suspicion of danger from dogs, coyotes, cougars, bears or other enemies the sheep stand up ready to flee for their lives. They have little or no means of self-defense. They are helpless, timid, feeble creatures whose only recourse is to run.

This is one reason that sheep do not lie down very easily. They are skittish by nature. There are other factors as well. If the flock has not had enough to eat they want to keep moving. Furthermore, sheep are unable to rest when tormented by flies or parasites; friction with other sheep sets them on edge; yet nothing hinders a sheep from relaxing as does fear; fear of almost anything. Sometimes their fears are legitimate; most of the time their timidity is very much exaggerated. Consequently, when David declares: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;" this is a picture of unusual serenity. The shepherd has gained the trust of the sheep. They are enjoying a high degree of peace and confidence. Flies and parasites are at a minimum. The shepherd has put a stop to the foolish fighting and jealousy within the flock. The sheep have fed heartily that morning from lush, dew-drenched forage. Afternoon has arrived. Now they are fully satisfied and refreshed. They lie down in grassy meadows. The lambs suckle their mothers. The Shepherd watches close by.

We know from history that David was no escapist. He led no pampered life. He was a man of war and action. His enemies were cruel and brutal, always threatening his life. Nevertheless, he must have tasted an ample supply of peace and trust. Almighty God had been good to him. From a heart of gratitude he sings: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters."

Does God promise us an anxiety free life? Of course He doesn't. Things do not always go smoothly. Frequently, we are unsatisfied with the daily grind of life. Disillusionment sets in. A dozen problems buzz around our heads and eat at the pit of our stomachs. Conflict with family and friends can make us edgy and irritable. Few people escape the waves of money problems, sorrows, and worry.

A woman told me a couple days ago how stressed out she felt by the April 15 tax deadline. The big effort to calculate everything and turn it in on time is terrible enough. The reality of how much she owes is causing her back pain and a pinched neck muscle. Another woman called to notify us that she has suffered genuine amnesia attacks in the last two weeks. Her last episode resulted in a serious auto accident. She blanked out while driving and rear-ended the car ahead of her. The ambulance had to carry the driver of the other car to the hospital, while the collision wrought substantial damage to both vehicles. While the poor lady goes in for extensive testing, she is gripped with fear and uncertainty. An older man told of his prostate surgery that has gone bad. A few days ago it became painfully infected. Besides antibiotics he now must go see if further surgery is needed. Each of us knows of people going through trials. To an extent, difficulties plague us all. Like sheep, it is very hard for us to find contentment and to be able to relax.

What helped David in his doubts and fears? How was he able to deal with his issues? Where did he find peace when his enemies were trying to terminate him? And for our own comfort, what can make our souls lie down in green pastures to find rest? We do well to begin with a vision of the Good Shepherd. Phillip Keller affirms that nothing so quiets and reassures the sheep as the presence of the shepherd. When the sheep see the shepherd standing in the field it puts them at ease. How can a faith in the Good Shepherd calm our fears and afflictions? If, in the midst of trials, we can somehow bring ourselves to realize the presence of Christ near us, what a difference it makes. Our Savior is the one who sustains and protects us. He is the one who provides for our needs. He is our ever-present help. Whatever He allows is for a purpose.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Think of it. What have you lacked? Has the Lord not provided for you in the past? Of course He has! And He will do it again. Has He protected you in former times? Why would He not continue to do so in the future? Who is it that created you, controls all things, and chose you by election? It is the Good Shepherd. On the basis of His love and power we can be sure that: "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). Ultimately, if you are in Christ, He owns you. Tragedies may hit, failures befall, but in terms of eternity all will be rectified in the Last Day. Jesus is your Shepherd. You are a sheep of His flock. He keeps you in His fold, the Church. He feeds and tends you, and leads you to lie down in green pastures. He leads you beside still waters. He is the Shepherd of your soul.

Of Him, the prophet Isaiah spoke: "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened Not His mouth Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted" (Isaiah 53:7, 4). In other words, we should profit from the passion and death of Jesus. Not only was His sacrifice much greater than any sacrifice we suffer, the blood that He shed guarantees our final victory. He died to save you, and He promises: "I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:11, 28-29).

Verse five of Psalm 23 is a transition. The image switches from that of a Shepherd to that of a King. David himself grew up a shepherd boy, and later became a king. As an earthly king, he delighted to meditate on the blessings he received from His Divine King: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." What kind of banquet is David referring to? Perhaps David is speaking of a victory celebration. His enemy has surrendered. A war is over. A festival is therefore appropriate. In ancient times, to be invited as a guest to the king's palace for a victory feast was quite special. Few honors could excel that. Besides, the words, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" may refer to one of the many feasts that the Jews celebrated: their Passover meals, and other annual festivals were times of solemn joy and exuberant banqueting.

Couldn't the Christian apply the words of David to Holy Communion? "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." Does that mean that the Church is full of enemies when we celebrate the Eucharist? No, it means that by God's grace we may have a cool assurance under pressure. Even under the worst situations of life, we come each week to the royal throne-room where the King hosts a feast. And what kind of feast is it? We come not merely to bread and wine. We partake of the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. On the night in which He was betrayed our Lord took bread and when He had given thanks, he broke it, and announced: "Take, eat; this is my body". The wine He displayed and said "drink this is My blood of the new covenant" (Matthew 26:27 ff.). Is it any wonder that Christians regard admittance to the Lord's table as a high privilege? They long for frequent communion, and whenever the sacrament is celebrated baptized believers are always welcome guests of the King. At the table they enjoy the closest fellowship possible with the Lord.

What are the effects of partaking of the Supper? God sanctifies us in a hundred ways. Once we were blind, now we see. We come weak, but the King makes us strong. We begin to discern the snares and temptations of Satan. We are given power and humility to fight against our habitual sins. The eucharistic grace lessons our propensity to avoid unpleasant duties; we now strive to deny ourselves and take up our cross in order to perform tedious work and painful obligations. We are energized for the service of the Lord, and fortified against the attacks of demons. In partaking of the Lord's Supper, the Holy Spirit powerfully imparts God's grace, and leads us to glory.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

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