Forth Sunday of Easter

Fourth Sunday of Easter
Psalm 23
April 29, 2007
Rev. Philip A. Bouknight

  The 23^rd Psalm is one of the most quoted texts of the bible.  From an early age, these familiar words are embedded into the framework of our minds.  Even when our memories fade and we loose the grasp of who we are, the psalm is there ringing through the haze.  For that reason, I always include it as one of the readings at the nursing home.  Whether I am visiting or leading worship services, you can watch the eyes begin to light up as soon as the residents hear “The Lord is my shepherd.”  The lips begin to move.  Smiles creep across their face and they are taken back in time to a period of their lives where memories were etched.  Emotions are attached to these words and the brain is activated in a different way. 

 We all have a deep desire to be shepherded.  The image is a powerful one and it touches a part of our identity that is not easily shaken.  Children long to have shepherds.  Parents can attest to the fact that children are constantly pushing the borders, testing the fences to see if their boundaries are permeable or fixed.  If the child runs up against a permeable boundary, then they will press hard upon that place in the fence line.  If the parents cave, then the child has gained a larger area for grazing.  If that boundary is enforced, then the child is returned to that familiar fixed place for them.  Children feel safe when the perimeter is defined and consistently maintained.

 Parents are constantly engaged in their role as gate keepers.  They open and close pastures for grazing.  Certain fields are opened, allowing the child to explore once a certain maturity level is achieved.  Certain fields are closed when the child behaves in a way that proves to the parent that they have not yet reached an adequate maturity level for that activity.  Here’s an example: the driver’s permit.  Just because a child reaches the age of fifteen or sixteen, does not mean they are ready to be permitted pasture in that field.  Some children are definitely ready and exhibit a maturity level consistent with those who should be allowed behind the wheel.  Others are allowed into this field with hesitancy.  The parents monitor their behavior, because an early release into this pasture could jeopardize the life of their child or the life of another.  Some children exhibit behaviors that result in the revoking of this privilege.  The gate is slammed shut and the child is not allowed back into that pasture until they can prove their ability to handle responsibility.  Then, there are fields in life which are always off limits.  The children are warned about the dangers of straying into that territory.  Children being children, may one day venture into those forbidden zones just to see what all the fuss is about and they may very well feel the consequences of straying outside of the fence line.

 Thus far, we have discussed the pertinence of this Psalm in the lives of the elderly, our children and our youth.  It also speaks to the heart of generations in between.  We are all in need of a shepherd.  We need boundaries that are well defined.  We crave the security of knowing that we are safe inside the fence.  There are parts of this psalm that comfort us more than others.  Likewise, there are phrases that come to mind more easily as others.  We love to say, The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. There is a feel good emotion attached to those words, but then we say, He leads me in right paths for His name's sake.  There are paths which are shut to us; forbidden zones, pastures that we are not allowed to enter.  We are warned about those places and told about the wolves that lie in wait to devour those who enter.  The boundaries are defined and God is consistently reminding His people do not go down that path.    

 Jesus lovingly defines the boundary just as the parent does for their child.  It is done for our protection.  More importantly, it is done so that we may honor Him.  We are allowed to live as a blessing to God, ourselves and others.

 We find comfort in the words….Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; but we rarely take pause to ponder the meaning of your rod and your staff -- they comfort me.  The rod is used to defend us.  It strikes the foe; the wolves that lie in wait, but the staff is used on us.  Its curved end yanks us back into good pastureland when we have strayed into those forbidden zones.  It is used to protect us so that we may once again enjoy the comfort and safety of our defined borders.

 Take a look again at our children and youth.  If we as parents act as gate keepers; allowing our children to enter new pasture lands when they are ready, if we slam the gate shut to certain areas, preventing an untimely entrance due to deficiencies in their maturity level, then we can fathom a God who is the shepherd and gate keeper of our lives.  As we grow in faith, new doors of opportunity are opened and we are allowed to explore new pastures.  If we exhibit behaviors that do not befit those new responsibilities, then the door may be shut for a little while, protecting us and those whom we serve.  God uses us at every stage in our lives.  He redefines how our gifts are used as those gifts experience development. 

 We are children in need of a shepherd and like children, we are constantly checking the fence line to see if any of the borders are permeable and that is a very dangerous habit.  Just as we allow our children to make mistakes and as we allow them to suffer the consequences of those mistakes, when we push against the perimeter of our defined boundaries, we may be placing ourselves in a situation where the wolf can have access to us.  The boundaries of God are well defined and He is certainly consistent.  There are areas where we may never enter and He knows that one day, we may choose to enter those forbidden lands.  We may also feel the harsh consequences of those actions, keeping us from the joyous life that is laid out for us.

 We like the parts of the psalm that talk about safety and salvation, but we are not crazy about the parts where God discusses boundaries.  The grass may appear to be greener on the other side of the fence, but there is also that wolf; that sinful side of ourselves that’s just waiting to have a go at us.  God knows that side of us.  He knows His enemies and He has already defeated them so He prepares for us a way that we might be forgiven of our selfishness and at the same time, be strengthened abundantly to serve Him.
                               
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

 Respect your boundaries and joyfully accept the areas of your life where you have been allowed to graze.  Know that we are sheep leading sheep.  New pastures are opened to us so that we may grow in Christ and bring others to the fold.  This process continues every day of our life.  Doors are opened and shut for the glory of God.  Happiness is learning to be content where God has placed you, seeing a closed door not as a punishment, but as a loving act of protection.  Look around in those times to see what God may be calling you to do in a new place for His name sake.  Make it a habit to listen to your shepherd.  Let his voice be a comfort to you and let emotions of safety and security flood into your heart.  Then, when all memories fade and you hardly remember who you are, the simple words of this psalm describing your Shepherd, will bring a gleam to your eyes.  Your mouth will begin to move and your heart will begin to sing, because these words touch a part of you that is not easily shaken.  You will know your shepherd and you will love His pasture.

 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life, and you shall dwell in the house of the LORD your whole life long.