PENTECOST • 36
TO ACCOMPANY YOUR LECTIONARY READINGS, LISTEN TO THIS SONGS WHILE YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
Shepherd by Amanda Cook
reading for: 14 July
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Do you see Jesus as the true Shepherd?
READ
Approaching this text, our picture of Jesus is usually the miracle worker, who multiplies fish and bread and walks on water. But is that the picture Mark wants us to see?
The key interpretive verse is in v. 34. Where Jesus, steps out of the boat, sees the crowd and is filled with compassion. Like a shepherd towards his sheep. All of his actions and miracles performed is best understood in this light. As the true Shepherd of Israel that Jeremiah 23 foretold.
Remembering the story earlier, Jesus had sent his disciples out two by two with his authority (6:7-13). Returning from the mission field, they're likely full of excitement and adrenaline (v. 30). But Jesus, the true Shepherd senses their true need and calls them to come away to a quiet place to rest. Knowing that his disciples not only need rest, but also food (v. 31).
However, the crowd, like hungry paparazzi predict the route of Jesus with his disciples and surprisingly reach the town earlier (v. 33). And its here that we see Jesus the true Shepherd of Israel in action. He steps off the boat, sees the crowd as sheep who are hungry, and feeds them with His word (v. 34).
Verse 53 fast forwards us to a similar scene of another boat crossing. And another rush of people at shore (v. 54-55). And here, Jesus the true Shepherd, is seen in action again. He tends to the people, touching and healing them of their sickness. This doesn’t just happen on the shore, but everywhere, in cities, villages and farms (v. 56).
Focusing in on the invitation of Jesus the true Shepherd, “Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet/desolate place and rest a while." (v. 31)
The word desolate/quiet, can also be translated to wilderness. Just as Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and learnt to trust and rely on God, Jesus also was led into the wilderness for 40 days. In this desolate and quiet wilderderness, they discovered who God truly is and learnt to rest in Him.
REFLECT
Do you know the true rest that your soul desires? Covid 19 has brought about many stresses for us at home, at work and even in church. Many times we're simply trying to cope and react. But deep down our soul is weary, we’re tried from constantly fighting against the pressures of life.
Jesus our true Shepherd knows this. He isn’t first a miracle worker but the Shepherd of our soul. His miracles, signs and wonders, may bring rest and nourishment, but what it truly does is that it restores our relationship with Him. The challenge however is where we will find this rest. And following the biblical pattern, its ironically in the desolate wilderness that we find rest and come to know Jesus as our true Shepherd.
Do you feel like you’re in a wilderness where everything seems desolate and quiet? And deep down in your heart, you cannot help but think that God is not there? The good news is that He is with you. In fact, its right there and wants to reveal Himself to You as the good Shepherd.
reading for: 15 July
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Do you know Jesus as Your Shepherd King?
READ
In these short 6 verses, we see the 2 main themes in Jeremiah of judgment and hope.
God first judges and proclaims sorrow to the shepherds of Israel, for they have scattered and destroyed the sheep that they are to care for (v. 1)
Instead of caring and leading them to safety, the sheep were deserted and driven away (v. 2).
But the hope is that God is going to gather the remaining flock from all the countries and bring them back to the sheepfold, where they can be fruitful and multiply (v. 3)
He will appoint shepherds over them who will care for them, taking away their fear, and making sure everyone is accounted for (v. 4)
Not only will Israel have shepherds who care for them, they will have a Shepherd King, coming from the line of David. Who will rule with wisdom, doing what is just and right in the land (v. 5). The entire southern kingdom of Judah will be saved, and Israel will live safely. (v. 6). His name will be “the Lord is our righteousness”.
Focusing in on the phrase “The LORD is our Righteousness”, we cannot help but feel a sense of ownership. Its one thing to be known for doing what is just and right, its quite another to be to be named Righteousness. Or to put it another way, there’s a great difference between a woman saying yes to a man’s vow to have and to hold, and a woman who says “I am loved” after 40 years of marriage.
The Shepherd King that Jeremiah proclaims to be coming, will rule in such a way that Israel, will experience justice and righteousness to such an extent that they cannot help but say, “The LORD is my Righteousness”.
REFLECT
In Jesus, this promise of God has come. Jesus is the Shepherd King who will rule with wisdom, doing what is just and right. And right now, He is sitting at the right hand of God as King (Mark 16:19). Last week in Ephesians 1:11, we’re told that at the right time, everything will be brought under the authority of Christ.
Our experience everyday more often feels far from this. Especially with COVID 19, the world and all the countries are still struggling to respond to the crisis. But its important to remember that despite all that is happening, Jesus the Shepherd King is still ruling at the right hand of the Father. He is doing this with wisdom, doing what is just and right in the land. It might not seem like wisdom to us, nor does it seem right in our eyes. But we can surely count on the character of God.
That’s why prayer is so crucial. Our prayer, for the nations, for the circumstances and challenges around us is based on the character of God. Our intercession can be towards God to execute his justice and righteousness in the land.
Malaysia and Indonesia are still struggling to battle COVID 19, spend time praying for Jesus the Shepherd King, to wisely enable the governments to respond to the crisis in the land. Pray for Christians to arise as God’s people, to shepherd the lost in this time.
reading for: 16 July
Ephesians 2:11-22
Do you know the Only Shepherd who can bring True Unity?
READ
The Ephesians church like many others, were made up of both Jews and Gentiles who have now become Christians. But since their identity in Christ was so new, they often fell back to their default, seeing themselves as Jew or Gentile. And the heart of Paul’s message to them is that in Jesus, they have become fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (v. 19).
How has this happened? Verses 11-18 explains:
In the flesh, they were considered Gentiles and uncircumcised (v. 11). They lived without Christ and were excluded not just from the citizenship of Israel but the covenant that God made with Israel (v. 12). Basically, to be Gentile meant to be without God and hope. But in Jesus that has changed, through his blood, Gentiles have been united with Him (v. 13). And in him, peace and true unity. On the cross he broke down all walls of hostility that separated us (v. 14). More crucially, there is a new man, one new people (v. 15). Both Jews and Gentiles have been reconciled to God through the death of Jesus on the cross (v. 16).
This good news has come to Gentiles who were far away from him, and even to the Jews who were supposedly near (v. 17). And all of us can come to the Father through the Spirit because of Christ (v. 18.)
Therefore! Paul says, we have now become fellow citizens of God, same members of God’s family (v. 19). We are all one temple, with the apostles and prophets as our foundation and Jesus the Cornerstone (v. 20). This temple made up of new members of God’s family, is also where the Spirit wants to dwell (v. 21-22).
When Jeremiah prophesied that God would gather the remaining flock from all the countries, he didn’t know how God would do it. But Paul, having seen Jesus and understanding God’s plan (Ephesians 1), is now expounding on what Jesus has done on his side of history. Simply put, true unity has come in Jesus. All walls of hostility has been broken, and all who put their faith in Jesus can experience that. Jesus is the only Shepherd that can bring true unity on earth.
REFLECT
The disunity that we feel and experience often comes from every day life. At home, we sometimes feel our parents, spouse or even children are “against us”. Sometimes hurtful words can have such impact on our hearts that we mistake our loved ones as the enemy.
This is why the work of Christ on the cross is so crucial for us. In Him, all sins, all offences, all hurts have been paid for. The sins of others, and our own sins. To live in Christ, is to believe and confess His work into all of our relationships. To forgive one another and live free from the walls of hostility between us.
Are you experiencing conflict in your relationships at home? Or perhaps at work? The first step is to acknowledge the hurt we feel. The second crucial step is to forgive them. Not based on whether they deserve it or if they are sorry, but on the basis of what Jesus has done on the cross.
In prayer, bring your hurts to the Lord and in Jesus name forgive your loved ones based on what Jesus has done for them.
reading for: 17 July
Psalm 23
Are you in worship of your Shepherd?
READ
This is perhaps the most well known scripture even to non-Christians. One way to look at this Psalm is less from the perspective of truth but worship. We all know the life, adventures and crazy things David went through. He was chased after by his predecessor, king Saul and almost died many times. Even his own son Absalom went after him, stole his throne and abused his concubines. It is in this context of his life that this Psalm arises. David, isn’t just speaking about the truth of who God is, He is in worship of who God has been in his life.
Below is the message version written by Eugene Peterson, that might help bring a fresh perspective:
God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
REFLECT
Malcom Guite has written a book of poems to each Psalm and personally i’ve found listening to his responses helpful for worship.
Take some time to read and listen to his response to Psalm 23 and I pray that you too will be found in worship of the Lord who is your Shepherd.