At The End of the Day … A New Beginning

Psalm 23 (King James Version)

   Psalm 23 is probably one of the most recognized Psalms in the Bible. In fact, Psalm 23 is one of the most recognized texts in all of Scripture. This is a Psalm that is prayed by many people who seek comfort and assurance. This Psalm is read at many funerals to bring comfort to mourning family members and friends. Even marginal Christians and non-Christians recognize parts of Psalm 23: He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul, He makes me lie down in green pastures, and He leads me through the valley of the shadow of death.

   Psalm 23’s background is that of the Exodus of God’s people when the LORD delivered them out of Egypt. Between Egypt and the Promised Land was a LOT of wilderness and desolate places—literally and figurartively. During the wilderness journey God’s people were completely dependent on Yhwh to supply their daily needs of water, food, shelter, and protection. When we read the Bible, we also read about all the times that God’s flock wandered from God’s protection and His ways thus putting themselves in danger and harm’s way. We see ourselves in this as well, because their story is our story. Nevertheless, God made a promise—a covenant—with His people, and He would not (and still does not) go back on His word to them and to you.

Propers 11; Series B–St. John’s Tide (Readings for the Week of July 21-27, 2024)

Jeremiah 23:1-6

   Here’s an instance where God’s sheep are not at fault per se. They’ve been completely misled by the religious leaders who have led them astray. To be sure, they’re guilty for wandering away from Yhwh, nevertheless, they were led astray by the very people who were supposed to shepherd them on God’s path of righteousness.

   The focus is on the “shepherds” who were preying upon God’s flock rather than shepherding and praying for God’s flock. Now, God would visit the shepherds. God Himself would make a personal inspection. And then God Himself would provide a Shepherd Who would actually care about the safety and well-being of God’s flock. This Shepherd would always be present with them, and He Himself will also go out to recover and retrieve those who are lost and gone astray. He’s the owner of the sheep after all.

Ephesians 2:11-22

   Paul’s audience for this epistle are the Gentiles. Under the Jewish practice of worship and God’s covenant, it was unthinkable that Gentiles would be considered a part of God’s flock. There were “ways” to bring a Gentile under the covenant, but this was done through a completely human perspective and work promoted by the Jewish leaders. In order for Gentiles to be brought under God’s covenant, the non-Jew would need to carry out circumcision, comply with dietary laws, and the like. In short, Gentiles would need to convert to Judaism by living Jewishly.

   However, this was not the way God laid out His plan for salvation. God’s plan for salvation is through faith in His Son, Jesus, alone. That’s it. Period. Paul reminds his Gentile audience—and us—that being a part of God’s flock is pure gift language accomplished by God’s grace. They, and we, have been brought near by the blood of Christ. “Have been brought” is passive, which means that God is the subject of the verb “to bring.” He is acting upon us, thus, we have nothing to do with this. “Near” is the adverb describing the verb “to bring.” In other words, God doesn’t bring us half-way and then we have to figure out the rest. God brings us all the way into His presence. God does so by the blood. “By the blood” is the agent, or means, by which God brings us near Him into His presence. “Of Christ” is the source of the blood. This is God’s gift to you because God provides the means and the source for you salivation. He does it all, and God does it all for you because God indeed does love you—yes, you!

Mark 6:30-44

   Psalm 23 is in the background of Mark’s account of the Feeding of the 5,000: sheep who have not been shepherded by those who were charged to do so; lost, and helpless sheep, sheep seeking a shepherd who would love them and care for them; desolate places suddenly being transformed into fresh green grass; a banquet where the people were completely filled and satiated or satisfied. Indeed, this Shepherd cares about the people in a way that other religious leaders failed to do. It was late in the day for the people—figuratively and literally. They were looking for a new beginning as the people sought a Shepherd, which is why they came to see Jesus and no one else.

COLLECT OF THE DAY (the prayer of the Church for the week)

Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.