Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Monday, March 4, 2013 Read – Psalm 23 We’re going to take a couple of days away from Luke to think about the idea of God as a shepherd. That theme is one that can be lifted up in the OT. And Psalm 23 is a good place to start. This Psalm is loved because of the comfort it gives to people who know they are vulnerable. In the Psalm, without the care of the shepherd the psalmist knows that he would be lost. But the shepherd is faithful. The shepherd provides. The shepherd protects. The shepherd makes all the difference to those walking in the shadow of death and in the midst of their enemies. That’s why this Psalm speaks so well to us at the time of illness and death. And an important part of this Psalm is the realization that we are vulnerable and need a shepherd. That idea resonates with Luke’s contention that we need to recognize that we are all lost. While Luke may not have had this Psalm in mind as he told the parables the message is similar. Christians have heard Psalm 23 and come to think of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Jesus fulfills Psalm 23. In his gospel, John, more than other gospel writers, dwells on this theme. In John 10 the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep – the father seeks until he finds his sons!