3        He restoreth my soul:

    he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

 for his name’s sake.

       Is today a day where you could certainly use some green pastures beside some still waters? Are you seeking an exodus from the woes of this world? That was the situation of the crowd that followed Jesus and His disciples that day in the Gospel reading for the week: the Feeding of the 5,000. They carried their sick and lame friends and relatives to the other side even beating Jesus and the disciples there. Imagine carrying and transporting your sick, ill, disease-ridden relatives that distance. Imagine bringing your blind, deaf, lame, or mute friend. Imagine that you are one of these people seeking green pastures and still waters in the midst of wilderness and deserted places. This was the dire situation in which the people found themselves. They were looking for hope because they were sheep without a shepherd.

       It’s interesting to note a detail in Mark’s account of the feeding. The people come to a desolate, remote, uncultivated place. They’re looking for a Shepherd to take care of them, and they come to see Jesus. Remember, Jesus is Yhwh in the flesh. He is the LORD to Whom King David prays in Psalm 23:1.

       When we get to Mark 6:39 the desolate place is now transformed and described as green, fresh grass. Psalm 23 is definitely in the background of Mark’s account of Jesus feeding the 5,000. Jesus is God’s Deliverer of His people leading us in the New Exodus. ^[1] Jesus is God’s Good Shepherd leading His flock through desolate places on the way to the New Creation. Jesus is the One who encourages His sheep when we get physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. He alone restores hope and joy in our soul.

       Jesus brings to life the reality of the New Exodus leading you to God’s eternal Promised Land. He leads you on God’s path of righteousness for His name’s sake, not ours. God has His reputation at stake, and He’s always good for His word. ^[2] He’s right here with you—right now—leading you out of desolate places to the New Creation where He has His forever green pastures and still waters waiting for you. Until then, the Good Shepherd is here with you.

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^[1] James W. Voelz, Concordia Commentary: Mark 1:1–8:26, ed. Dean O. Wenthe (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2013), 424.

^[2] Timothy E. Saleska, Psalms 1–50, ed. Christopher W. Mitchell, Concordia Commentary (Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2020), 410.