April 22, 2007 Bible Class--Psalm 23

BIBLE STUDY – Psalm 23
April 22, 2007

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
The dictionary defines the term “shepherd” as “a person who tends sheep.” (Source: merriamwebster.com)

When we read the Christmas story from Luke 2, we read about shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks of sheep when the angel of the Lord told them about Jesus being born.

When we look at our Gospel reading for this morning from John 10:11-16, we see Jesus talking about being the Good Shepherd. He tends to His sheep—us, His people. It’s important to note that Jesus is the GOOD shepherd. He is not just any shepherd; He is a beautiful, noble, and excellent shepherd. Jesus goes on to say that a good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep—which, of course, is what Jesus would do a few months later.

Because Jesus is our good and great shepherd, we have everything we need. When we look at the meaning of 1st Article of the Creed, we confess that God gives us everything that we need to support our bodies and our lives. Not only do we have all the physical things that we need, but we also have God’s gifts of forgiveness and the assurance of everlasting life. What more do we need?

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
After a long, hard day, we look forward to lying down on the bed, or simply lying on the couch to rest. The term “green pastures” is a metaphor for all that makes life to thrive and prosper.

Take a look at Ezekiel 34:11-16 (the Old Testament reading for this morning. Look especially at verse 14.

“Still waters” literally means “waters of resting places.” That is, restful waters—waters that provide refreshment and well-being.

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
As a shepherd leads his sheep in paths that offer safety and well-being, so it is that our Lord guides us in ways that cause us to be secure and prosperous.

Our lives were first restored the day in which we were brought to the font to be baptized. Through baptism in to Christ’s death and resurrection, God restored us from being children who were born into sin to being His forgiven children. Because our sins are forgiven, our relationship with God is restored.

As mentioned earlier, God guides us in ways that cause us to be secure and prosperous. Because we have Jesus our good shepherd, we are assured of being defended against all danger and being guarded and protected from all evil. We also have the Holy Spirit who is our helper, guide, and comforter. The Holy Spirit continually leads us on the right path, by directing us to God’s Word, leading us to do what is right, and reminding us that even when we do wrong, we are forgiven through Jesus. (For more insight take a look at Proverbs 3:5-6)

Yea, 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.
Even as we live in a sin-darkened world where the consequences are death, we have no need to be afraid. This assurance that God gives to us, He gave to people throughout the Bible. Just a couple examples of this: Look at Joshua 1:9, along with Isaiah 43:1-13.

A shepherd uses a rod for counting, guiding, rescuing, and protecting. A staff is an instrument of support. Our Lord does this for us and much, much more.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
What David is talking about here is the Shepherd-King receives David at His table as his vassal king and takes him under His protection. In the ancient Near East, covenants were often concluded with a meal expressive of the bond of friendship.

In this world where there are enemies of our Lord, we are blessed to have a church that we can go to where we, who have our Lord’s protection, come to His table as His honored guests and we receive His very body and blood for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of faith. That is foretaste of the feast to come in heaven, where we will sit in the table of the heavenly banquet.

“You anoint my head with oil” refers to a customary treatment of an honored guest at a banquet. At God’s table we receive a lot more than mere customary treatment; we receive the precious gift of Himself.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
We’ve read in the previous five verses, about comparisons of life on earth and life in the world to come. This last verse sums it all up. As we live in this sin-filled world, we have God’s rich and abundant goodness and mercy. Because of the mercy that we have because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we will live in heaven forever and ever.