One of the most common images in scripture is that of the Shepherd and Sheep. From the very first Shepherd to the last mention of the Lamb of God in Revelation, these stories fill the scriptures. There are laws about sheep, stories involving sheep as devices of trickery, sheep being sacrificed, we have young King David who sleeps with sheep, sheep as the spoils of war, sheep as offerings, psalms about sheep, prophetic words about sheep, there’s a whole flock of sheep references! But, for the most part, the references to sheep in the prophets, psalms and New Testament are not really about the fuzzy woolen animals who go BAAAAA. These verses are more about people than about sheep. But what are sheep without a shepherd?
In 2 Samuel, After David is appointed King, God tells him that he will be the Shepherd of the people. In the Psalm for today we hear God referred to as a shepherd. King Cyrus is called a Shepherd by the prophet Isaiah. And then there is the parable of the Good Shepherd. And of course there is Jesus, who in Revelation is called the “Lamb at the center of the throne who will be their shepherd”. Almost every single book in scripture mentions sheep or shepherds. To say it is a common metaphor would be quite the understatement.
So here we are, a mere 2 ½ weeks from the end of Lent and we are given the words of the 23rd Psalm. While this is probably the most memorized verse in all of scripture with the possible exception of John 3:16, it is not often preached or spoken about. We assume that because we know the words by heart that we know the whole depth of meaning provided to us in the psalm. The 23rd psalm is full of beautiful pastoral imagery, and we could probably spend a few weeks going over each line of the psalm to better understand its meaning, but the part we are focusing on today is the first two lines.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Because these 2 lines set up the relationship that the rest of the psalm expands and explores. Clearly, in this case God is the shepherd and we are the sheep, but lets explore that just a little further.
Why are we sheep? Well, there are some major similarities between humans and sheep. First, we wander. We tend to be easily led astray or we get lost all by ourselves. We often don’t look ahead. We don’t often plan for the future, focusing only on the here and now. And we tend to be a little clueless to the things that threaten us.
We wander. Sheep aren’t a point a-to-point b type of critter. Sheep get to where they are going by happening in that direction. We tend to wander in a group because being an individual is dangerous and it’s much easier to just follow the rest of the wandering crowd. Sheep are just like that. And while sheep are often seen as stupid, it’s really more of a herd mentality rather than stupidity that gets sheep in trouble. This herd mentality often leads sheep, and us, to places where we’d rather not be, but somehow find ourselves anyway. We are a wandering kind of animal!
We don’t plan so well for the future. Sheep tend to have one thought…what can I eat right now and where can I find it. Sheep focus on the ground directly in front of their eyes and because of their poor depth perception they often fall into dips or holes in the ground.
How like sheep we really are!
We are clueless about the things that threaten us. Have you heard how the sheep in the Highlands of Scotland are rescued when they wander off and become stranded? The vegetation on those high places is pretty spare. And yet, down on maybe a little cliff down below on a ledge down about ten or twelve feet is a little ledge that is grassy. It hasn't been eaten because sheep don't go down there. And some of them will smell that lush grass and they will go down on that ledge, jumping ten, twelve feet, landing on all fours like a cat and they will eat that lush grass. Well now, there's no way they're going to get back up by themselves. Soon their bleating is heard as they try unsuccessfully to return to higher ground.
The shepherd does not rush right over to rescue them. He just lets that sheep stay down there on that ledge below. There's no way he can relieve it until all the grass is eaten and until the sheep begins to get hungry and thirsty. There's no water there. Finally the sheep gets so weak that he can't even stand up. At that point, when he's at the bottom of the barrel, the shepherd will come and will lower himself down over that ledge and rescue that sheep. And he knows that if he comes any sooner that stupid sheep, of which we are sheep, will jump over the ledge to its death.
How like sheep we really are!
Thankfully, we have a shepherd.
And because our shepherd loves us...we will be provided food, mercy, and shelter.
Our shepherd makes sure that we do not want for anything. A good shepherd will make sure that his flock has all the food and water it needs. That shelter is there when it rains, that we will have shade when it gets too hot.
Our shepherd leads us. See, sheep can either be led or they can be herded, but they tend to be more comfortable with following someone than being shoved from behind. A good shepherd knows this and will lead the sheep where they need to go, going on before them to make sure that where they are lead is safe and secure.
Our shepherd gives us green pastures. Green pastures will always attract the flock, but a good shepherd knows which fields have hidden sinkholes or sudden cliffs. Our shepherd makes sure that our resting places are places of light, safety, and fulfillment.
Our shepherd makes sure the waters we drink from are still waters. We will not be purposefully led into situation with raging dangerous waters, and if we find ourselves there, our Shepherd will be there to throw us a tether or wade into the water to rescue us.
No matter where we wander, and we will wander, we have the protection of the rod and staff of our shepherd. The rod, the pointy end, is never used against the sheep. The pointed end of the staff is reserved for the enemies such as panthers and lions. The shepherd never strikes the sheep with his staff in order to get conformity or obedience. The other end is the crook end…this is the part the shepherd uses on the sheep…the hook helps the shepherd to pull the sheep out of trouble. On long trips up the mountainside the shepherd can lean on it himself as a support. The shepherd will use the staff to bring a newborn lamb to its mother if they become separated. He does not wish her to reject it if it has the scent of a human hand. He can use it reach out and draw a sheep to him, especially if it is caught in thick brambles. It is used for guidance but never for punishment. Both rod and staff bring comfort As sheep, we must know that our great shepherd will do whatever possible to keep us safe and help pull us from the trouble in which we find ourselves.
And because our shepherd loves us, we know that even when we face our greatest fears or enemies, we will be provided food, mercy, and shelter for all the days of our lives.
Psalm 23 is a constant reminder of how just like sheep we really are and how desperately we need a shepherd who will love us, guide us and care for us. Luckily, we have a great Shepherd in God, an example of the Good Shepherd in Jesus Christ, and an earthly shepherd in our Pastor all to help guide us and protect us. With our shepherds to guide us, even during Lent, we truly have nothing to fear.