Part Two: Yahweh is My Shepherd

See Part One here. 

Part 2: Yahweh is My Shepherd

In the first blog post on Psalm 23, we saw how Yahweh can be counted on as the Good Shepherd who provides for us and guides us on our pilgrimage. Psalm 23 continues:  

PRESENCE

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honour me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of Yahweh forever.  

Suddenly we find ourselves home. The pilgrimage has ended and we’ve reached our destination. We’re on the steps of the Temple. We’re standing among the pillars of the Parthenon. We’re watching Much Ado About Nothing at the Globe Theatre. We’re in the center of St. Peter’s Square. We’ve made it home for Thanksgiving dinner, the food is coming hot out of the kitchen, and all the enemies who tried to block our way stand disarmed and dumbfounded, locked outside. Our caring Shepherd has become our welcoming Host.  

What the psalmist is describing is probably the celebration meal that a worshipping family shared with the priest in the temple. Under the wondering eyes of the intimidating nations that surrounded Israel, this humble community finds themselves welcomed as privileged guests in the presence of Yahweh, the Eternal One, the God of Angel Armies, the King.  

As New Testament believers, we now know that what was only anticipated in the OT sacrificial meal was fulfilled in the sacrificial offering of Jesus, our High Priest and the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Because of this, we have the privilege, under the wondering eyes of the world, to enter boldly into the presence of our Saving God. Our sins are forgiven, our identity as children is assured, our present and future is secured. We are home, part of the family, and never alone.  

Life is not only a pilgrimage. At any time, we have the right and the opportunity to find ourselves at home with Jesus. This is so easy to forget. We become fixated on the next leg of the journey, the climb ahead of us, the shadows that darken the valley at the end of the day. We feel like we have to get to that place we imagine to be safer and warmer than where we are. We have to get that work done before the sun goes down or the door closes. We have to answer that question that has been plaguing us, solve the puzzle we are confused by. We have roles to play and responsibilities to fulfill. And sometimes we can’t see the Shepherd walking along with us.  

Remember the two people walking on pilgrimage from Jerusalem to Emmaus on Easter evening (Luke 24)? Remember how they were unaware of the identity of the Stranger who walked along with them? Even as a Stranger he was beginning to provide for them and guide them into a deeper understanding of the mysterious experiences they had just had, though they didn’t know it was Jesus. But when did his identity become clear to them? “In the breaking of the bread.” The Strange Shepherd became the Host. They suddenly found themselves “at home” with God, with reality getting restructured before their eyes.   This is the privilege we have, even as we walk as pilgrims on the way.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of Yahweh forever. I will sit at the table with Jesus forever. In this very moment, I can be face to face with Jesus and rest in his presence.  

Take some time today to reflect on this amazing truth that you can be at home with Jesus, safe in his presence. Settle into a quiet assurance that you are not alone, and that you cannot be taken from his presence. During our retreat we went on a Parable Walk. Instructions can be found in the handout below. Feel free to use this with your Life Group on a sunny evening!   

See Part 3 here.