“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”
Psalm 23:1

Psalm 23 is a song about the believer’s heartfelt trust in the Lord even at the very gates of death (v 4) in the presence of vicious enemies (v 5). It’s a Psalm many people know by heart. It is often read at funerals or taken upon the lips of those who know they are dying. There is great comfort in this Psalm. And that is good. And yet, as much comfort as this Psalm can bring those who have reached the end of their lives, the truth is it is not about dying at all. It is about living here in now by faith in the promised presence of our Shepherd-Lord as we continue to trust in Him. And above all it is a about Jesus.

If you’ve attended Rockport for any length of time, you know that we recently finished a three year study of John’s Gospel. And it is in that Gospel that Jesus identifies himself as the “Good Shepherd” David writes about in this Psalm as he says plainly, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (Jn 10:11). So what does that mean? As we saw when we were in John’s gospel it means that (1) He is the God Shepherd – These words “I AM” are in a form that identifies Him as the God who met Moses in the burning bush in Ex 3:14. “I AM,” Jesus says. “I AM the promised redeemer who’s come to rescue His sheep from the mouth of the wolves.” (2) He is the Beautiful Shepherd – The word translated “good” (kalos) doesn’t just mean capable and kind – an able shepherd (though He certainly is that). It also means perfect and desirable – beautiful in His character and attributes, and trustworthy in all things. (3) He is the Sacrificial Shepherd – He gives his life “for” His sheep. He willingly puts himself between us and the wolves. This word carries the idea of a substitute sacrifice – one who dies in our place – for that is how He saves. We, the sinners, deserve to die. He, our shepherd, takes our place under the penalty of sin! He dies for us that we might live in Him!

That is who Christ is for us who believe! That is what our shepherd has done! That is why we trust Him. And now He invites us to come by faith and fellowship at His table in the joy of new life (Ps 23:5) At the very heart of it, that’s what it means to be a Christian: a sheep who belongs to the shepherd.

I pray you know this Shepherd’s tender care.

Pastor Scott