First Week of Easter

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:6

A flock of sheep that have been well cared for and loved will clean up and restore a piece of unproductive land as no other animal can do. They eat weeds and undesirable plants that can take over a field and their manure is one of the best balanced of domestic stock.  The sheep described in Psalm 23 have completed their journey from the green pastures, still waters, down the path of righteousness, through the valley, and now flourish, reproduce, and leave a fruitful legacy of abundance on the table lands. Goodness and mercy follow the flocks because they have left behind something worthwhile, productive, beautiful, and beneficial, both to themselves and to others and especially to the Shepherd.

Read and meditate on Psalm 23. Notice the journey the sheep have been on with the Shepherd. As you reflect on your own life path with the Shepherd, what blessings follow you on the journey?

These past few months during the Lenten season, I have journeyed through Psalm 23 with the heart of caregiver for my mother in her last days.  She passed away on Good Friday, April 2, to dwell in the eternal house of the Lord forever.  That morning I whispered softly to her that today was a good day to let go, as she had been baptized in Christ, would join him at the cross, and be raised to glorified life on Easter resurrection.  In the hope and peace of Christ, she may be physically gone, but her spirit lives on forever as she left us a legacy of faith, goodness and mercy, and loving self-sacrifice for her family, community, and friends.

On another April day in 1968, we lost Martin Luther King. In the horror and despair that followed, Robert F. Kennedy pointed us all to grace and peace quoting a passage by Aeschylus:

Even in our sleep pain which cannot forget,

falls drop by drop upon the heart,
until in our own despair, against our will,

comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.”

On a Friday possibly sometime in April A.D. 33, Jesus was crucified outside of Jerusalem. On Sunday morning Jesus was no longer in the grave, but resurrected from the dead. Unaware, afraid, and headed home, two disciples, Cleopas and possibly his wife, walked to Emmaus from the devastating sadness in Jerusalem. They still did not understand that Jesus was alive, the promised Risen Redeemer.

With the loving compassion and care of the Good Shepherd, “Jesus himself drew near and went with them.” Luke 24:15. Yet Luke says, “Their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” Wrapped in their grief, preoccupied with fear, they couldn’t see the way, the truth, and the life in front of them.  I had not understood how they didn’t recognized Jesus until I myself experienced the pain and despair of death.  Now, it is I who is wrapped in grief walking the road to Emmaus.  And with all my heart I pray that when I arrive, the Spirit will open my eyes to see and hear and touch the Lord who draws near.

Reflect. What preoccupations, anxiety, and tasks are you wrapped up in, keeping you from seeing the one who is drawing near?

Praise. May this song, the lyrics printed below bless you. We are not alone, we walk with the Shepherd:

Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) Lyrics ~ People & Songs ft. Josh Sherman

Here we go
The Lord is my Shepherd everybody
The Lord is my Shepherd
He goes before me
Defender behind me
I won’t fear
I’m filled with anointing
My cup’s overflowing
No weapon can harm me
I won’t fear
Hallelujah, I am not alone
He’s my Comfort,
Always holds me close
He always guides me
Through mountains and valleys
His joy is refreshing
Restores my soul
Mercy and goodness
Give me assurance
That I’ll see His glory Face to face
Hallelujah, I am not alone
He’s my Comfort,
Always holds me close
Hallelujah, I am not alone
He’s my Comfort,
Always holds me close
Your Spirit lives within me
So I will walk in Your peace
Your Spirit lives within me
My victory, My victory
Your Spirit lives within me
So I will walk in Your peace
Your Spirit lives within me
My victory, My victory
Your…