The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.
Psalm 23:1-2
Reflect
In a confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus boldly proclaims, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:14–15). Jesus insists that his sheep know his voice and will respond when he calls.
In Jesus’ day, it was common for towns to have communal pens where several flocks mixed together at night so they could be guarded and protected. In the morning the shepherd would come and call his sheep, and they would recognize his voice and come to him. He would lead his flock out of the pen to graze in nearby fields.
In many parts of the world, sheep are herded by sheep dogs that bark and nip at their heels. The sheep’s innate fear is being used to control them. They are being driven, not led, and they move because they’re afraid.
The Jewish leaders, like the Pharisees Jesus confronts in John 10, were supposed to lead the the people in the ways of the Lord. But, instead of gently guiding, they often employed fear tactics to control. They used God’s Word to intimidate and shame rather than teach and exhort. They used the Law of God to separate and exclude rather than to gather and bless.
But Jesus, the true Shepherd, leads with his voice. He doesn’t drive the sheep with fear and intimidation. His sheep respond to their Shepherd’s call because they know him and trust that he will take care of them. He will lead them to lie in green pastures beside still waters where they can find nourishment and rest. Jesus loves his flock and will give his life for it.
There are many voices in our world today that call us to follow. Some promise comfort and satisfaction through consumerism, or motivate us with a fear of scarcity. What we have is never enough, and what others have we must want. Driven by these voices, we can feel like we’re stuck on a treadmill set at too high a setting, running for a finish line that keeps moving farther and farther away. But that’s not where the Good Shepherd’s voice leads us. Jesus says follow me, and I will give you rest.
The Message paraphrases one of Jesus’ most appealing offers like this, “‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly’” (Matthew 11:28–30).
The last several weeks of social distancing and staying at home have forced most of us to slow down. For many of us, activities that consumed large chunks of our schedule evaporated. But that doesn’t mean it became easier to rest. New concerns crowded our minds, and for some, new responsibilities had to be adopted. Yet it’s not only free time that brings rest. It’s finding peace and contentment in that time. It’s attuning your ears to the voice of Good Shepherd who provides for you, who laid down his life for you, and who keeps watch over you so that you can truly rest.
How are you experiencing spiritual rest these days? How can prayer, scripture reading, fasting, and other spiritual practices help you find rest?
Pray
Over 1600 years ago Augustine, Bishop of Hippo professed, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you” (Confessions, Book 1). It is in the presence of God that we can find what our soul longs for — peace, acceptance, security, and love.
Turn to your Shepherd today. Sit quietly before him in prayer and ask him to lead you to green pastures and still waters, whatever that may look like for you. Ask him to give your heart, mind, soul, and body rest.