You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; My cup is full.
Psalm 23:5
With my shepherd Jesus, I am honored
The story of Psalm 23 moves so fast that your head spins. It begins with David identifying himself with a lowly sheep who is content to rest in the presence of the Lord, his loving Shepherd, knowing that there is abundant green grass and clean water available. Then the shepherd and the sheep were up and walking, and the path seemed fine – until suddenly everything became dark and scary. Fortunately, David knows that the Shepherd is with him in that shadowy valley, protecting him from unknown and unseen attackers on every side. After a verse, the darkness lifts, revealing the enemies before him, but the tables have turned in an unexpected way. The lowly sheep of the pasture is now an honored guest at the Lord’s own table. Those who wanted to harm him could do nothing but see humiliation and defeat, as he received every sign of hospitality and respect.
Perhaps this sequence of events reflects the way King David viewed his life. He went from being a young man tending his father’s sheep to being a demon-slayer, from being hunted by the king as a traitor to being anointed and crowned himself. How could a young shepherd imagine receiving such an honor? In gratitude for all these blessings and more, David prayed, “Who am I, Lord, and what is my family, that You have brought me here?” (2 Samuel 7:18) He knew better than anyone that it was only by the grace of God that he was blessed in this way.
Jesus Christ – both a descendant of David and his Lord – is the Shepherd King who displays gracious hospitality over us, the sheep of his flock. He took on our shame and humiliation by dying in our place, so that He could share His glory with us. When the devil speaks of our sins, Jesus stuns him and silences him, and humbly invites us to his table, where our Lord’s own body and blood assure us of forgiveness. Jesus, our Shepherd, welcomes us as honored guests, anointing us with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: (CW, 552:5)
You set a table in my sight,
A banquet is being given here;
Welcome oil, my delight;
My cup is full. Amen.
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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used with permission from Zondervan. All rights reserved world wide.
