John 10:1-21

The Good Shepherd

It is hard to read this passage without being put in mind of Psalm 23. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want...” The interesting thing is that when this Psalm comes up most people automatically default to a funeral setting. Because of the line concerning the “Valley of the Shadow of Death” this Psalm is often read at funerals. A lot of Christians don’t read the Bible much and almost no unbelievers read the Bible at all. But they all go to funerals and therefore Psalm 23 is one of the best known. Too bad.

The reason it is too bad is not because there is anything wrong with Psalm 23. On the contrary, this is a wonderful Psalm. It is too bad because we associate it with leaving this life and that is a travesty. Most of Psalm 23 describes a strongly blessed life. It is replete with images that describe the kind of life most people can only dream of. There are lush green pastures and cool still waters. We see a person who is totally unafraid of enemies, so it is a life virtually without fear. Even in the enemy camp there is a fine table spread. It is a life where goodness and love abound.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death isn’t about dying. It simply means that even death holds no fear for those who have the Good Shepherd for their shepherd. The only thing in the Psalm that really refers to death is the last bit. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

The next time you read Psalm 23 just remember what the Good Shepherd said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”