Lent 2022

Pray through the truth found in John 10.1-18

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” ⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.^[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

On Monday we were reminded of our enemy. We have an enemy. On Wednesday we read the prayer, “Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.”

Our Good Shepherd has ultimately conquered every enemy, including the evil one of this world. Jesus said, “In this life you will have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world.” John 16.33

Psalm 23 reminds us that our Good Shepherd goes before, preparing a table for you in the presence of your enemies. It’s important to remember our enemies aren’t always people. Our enemies are anything that stands in the way of us believing “we lack nothing.” Most poignantly, that belief is attacked by our wants and our fears.

What is it that makes you afraid? What is it that causes worry, anxiety, or discontent? In the presence of those enemies, our Good Shepherd prepares a table. A table of refuge, a table of peace, a table that overflows with blessing, “my cup overflows.”

Psalm 23 is a livable reality for the here and now, and it points to an eternal future. A future that includes a meal at a table. Here’s how Revelation 19 portrays this meal.

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
⁷ Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.
⁸ Fine linen, bright and clean,
    was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

⁹ Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.

One of the most striking images of the risen Jesus, our Good Shepherd in the book of Revelation is “the Lamb that was slain.” Those who have been invited to the table are wearing robes that have been made white (paradoxically) by “the blood of the Lamb.”

Through Jesus’ death on the cross, we too have conquered death and now, one day will share eternal life with God and the Lamb. And it’s the Lamb (the risen Christ) who now leads the flock. In a striking reversal of roles, the slain Lamb has become the Good Shepherd.

Our Good Shepherd has prepared a table before you. Come and eat.

We believe these truths are true. What do you believe?

Reflection:

1. Who or what are your greatest enemies?

2. How do you sense God’s presence bringing you peace in the presence of your enemies?

3. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” How might you fully live into this truth today?

Pray through the truth of Luke 22.14-20 and John 13.34-35.

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22.14-20

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13.34-35

“Dad, you talk too much about darkness. You need to talk more about the light.”

That’s what I heard from my seven-year-old in the backseat as we drove home.

            “What do you mean, Adele? It was a funeral.”

            “Dad, there’s light though… in order for there to be a shadow there has to be light.”

            “Say that again, Adele.”

            “Dad, you have to have light in order for there to be a shadow.”

Yet another truth I’ve learned so profoundly from my kids.

The old King James version puts Psalm 23.4 this way,

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

This is likely why Psalm 23 is so often read at funerals. We are reminded of the central promise of the Bible, “Thou art with me.” Even in death, or the darkest valley, God is with us. His Presence comforts us. He disarms our deepest fears.

One way our Good Shepherd is so profoundly present in darkness is through His people. More than anything else God uses people to bring light and life to other people. His Spirit is present in and through His sheep.

In Scripture, the church is referred to as “The body of Christ.” His church is given different gifts, expressing different parts of His Body. As His sheep move into the darkness, toward those suffering, mourning, or grieving, we do so not only as a part of the Body but rather as the manifest presence of Christ Himself. You are the Body of Christ bringing light and life to everything/everyone you touch. You are the joy bringer, the beauty, the grace, the love of Christ to a lost and dying world.

We believe these truths are true. What do you believe?

Reflection:

1. How have you experienced God’s presence, comfort, and light in your darkest valley?

2. Who have you welcomed as the manifest presence of Christ? Who has welcomed you?

3. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” How might you fully live into this truth today?

Pray through the truth of Isaiah 61.1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
² to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³    and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

The teaching of the livable reality of Psalm 23 was supported by a little song we sang in church. The simple song included this phrase,

Shepherd me, O God,
beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.

It’s one of those phrases that I’ve never forgotten. It’s not just a song, it’s a prayer. It’s one I pray often.

Jesus teaches His followers that He is the Good Shepherd. The Psalmist gives us a picture of our shepherd leading us. Notice the language.

He makes

He leads

He refreshes

He guides
    for His name’s sake.

You are with me;
Your rod

Your staff

You prepare
You anoint
Your goodness and love will follow me.

Our Good Shepherd goes before and makes a way. His promises are sure and true. He leads His sheep and His sheep follow… or do they? Do you?

Shepherd me, O God,
beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.

There are times when my wants and fears get in the way of my ability or willingness to follow. There are days when I don’t want to be shepherded. Like a young child who wants her own way, I too sometimes refuse or protest.

There is an inherent vulnerability in shepherding. Jesus knows the vulnerability. Many times His sheep heard His voice and still said “no.” There is also an inherent vulnerability in being shepherded. His sheep have to trust His voice, His plan, His promise. His sheep have to trust their shepherd.

Trust and belief are intertwined. One can’t trust someone they don’t believe. One can’t believe someone they don’t trust. We believe the will and way of our Good Shepherd is always trustworthy. Our Good Shepherd is always Faithful. John the Revelator calls Jesus, the rider of the white horse, “Faithful and True.” He goes on to write, “On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.” Revelation 19.16

We believe these truths are true. What do you believe?

Reflection:

1. The prayer noted a desire to be, “Shepherded beyond my wants, beyond my fears.” How does that desire resonate with you today? Where specifically do you desire to be shepherded?

2. How have you experienced your Good Shepherd as “faithful and true”?

3. “He shepherds me beyond my fears, beyond my wants.” How might you fully live into this truth today?

Pray through the truth of Psalm 91.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long

 life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”