Sunday April 26th, 2026

John 10:1-10, Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want, psalm 23 is perhaps the most loved of the psalms because of the comforting imagery of the Shepherd caring for the sheep.  “He makes me lie down in green pastures, leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.” (v.1-3) All imagery speaking to the abundance of our God, the comfort and peace he gives. 

The Psalm often read in the context of Pastoral care, and at the time of death, for it is in the times when we are the most weakest, or of greatest need that the words of the Psalm perhaps becomes most real to us, but also comfort is found in the reassuring promise of the Father’s constant protection and care over us. “Though I walk through the darkest valley I shall fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me.”  (Ps 23:4)

The psalmist writes of a danger being all around him, yet he knows because of the Father’s presence he is held safe and secure. It is a comforting image for all going through difficult times, and one that many find comfort and solace in, trusting in the Father’s presence to be with them, as they travel through the dark times of life. 

The imagery of Shepherd and Sheep was not only relevant to the people of Jesus day, but was a longstanding image for those who served as Kings or rulers in old testament times, in following God’s way of rule over the people. It didn’t always hold true of course; and In Ezekiel 34, with the leadership then failing, taking on the image of Shepherd for himself,  God says, “I myself, will search for my Sheep, and seek them out.” (Ezk 34:11)  As ultimate guardian and keeper of the people, God searches for us,  pursues us, and bring us safely home. 

Jesus in the gospel taking on the imagery of Shepherd for himself, not only speaks to what it means for him to be Shepherd for the people, but also distinguishes between himself and those who would come perhaps claiming to be he; “anyone who do not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but climbs in another way, he says, ‘is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters through the gate is the Shepherd of the Sheep.” (John 10: 2),  The Pharisees though they were suppose to be God’s representatives to the people, they however didn’t live up to it, and instead laid burdens on the people, and served themselves. 

This gospel follows on the heels of Jesus healing the man born blind; and the pharisees refusing to believe that Jesus had healed the man, they try to convince him that he had never been blind, when he refuses saying, this I know, “I once was blind but now I see”, they throw him out of the synagogue. (John 9)

Jesus however not only restored the man’s physical sight, but in returning, Jesus assures the man of who he is;  and the man believing, finds new life in him.  New life as one who truly believed in the Son of God. 

While Shepherd and Sheep may not be the most prominent imagery for our day, as there are not perhaps a lot of sheep around anymore, it however still speaks to the relationship of love and protective care our God has for us all. 

Growing up around sheep, as my father for many years kept Sheep;  the image of Shepherd and Sheep is a very real one for me. My brothers and I would often go with our Father as he cut the hay, we would help pile it in mounds and help bring it back to the barn to store as food for the winter for the sheep; other times we would go with him to take the sheep to the island, or to some pasture where they would graze in the summer;  my father ever watchful over them, if one should wander and get into trouble, you could be sure he would soon go after it and bring it back to safety again;  when it was time to shear the sheep, my Father holding them with a steady and firm hand, and a whole lot of patience and care, would cut off their winter coats before letting them run free;  perhaps most telling of my father’s care for the sheep was when one of the sheep about to give birth, my Father would stay much of the night in the barn, waiting for the lamb to be born; one morning I remember getting up and seeing a lamb laying in a box by the stove; my father had brought it there during the night to keep it warm, and my grandmother was feeding it with a bottle of milk; I didn’t know why the mother sheep wouldn’t nurse it, or perhaps she couldn’t, it however spoke much of the nurture and care my Father had for the sheep and what he would do for them; an image that always stays with me.  

Jesus as the true Shepherd has that kind of nurturing and loving care for us all, and what we ourselves are to emulate in the love and care of others. And it is Trusting in our God, we find fullness and abundance of life in him.

Life not as the world offers through material possessions, wealth or power,  and as so many will claim makes for the best life today, only to seek after and long for even more of the same;  but life as it is known with our God, in the living, loving and trusting relationship we have with him;  walking faithfully with him, we find abundant life for ourselves, and live more purposeful and authentic lives. 

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Ps 23:6)

May we always look to our God for all that we need, and find abundant life in him. 

Thank you for reading, 

Amen, God Bless. 

Hannah+