It reads
as though the Shepherd has taken the ‘sheep’ on a picnic. The word picture of ‘prepare’
indicates He had gone to a lot of trouble for it means ‘to set out in order.’
What has He placed upon it? Refreshment for the body after a day’s journey. What
has preceded this ‘picnic?’ The possibility of or the fact of travelling
through the valley of the shadow. Whilst fear may not have dominated, it would
strike me as unusual if a wee bit of nervousness wasn’t tingling the spine. So,
here is the Shepherd’s opportunity to settle the sheep and to provide nourishment
for the next day. Treats with which to surprise and please may also be on the
menu. David makes this a personal, one on one ‘picnic.’ We can understand the
imagery of Shepherd waiting upon the sheep, but what about the Master waiting
upon the servant? Jesus said He would do this for the servant found faithfully
fulfilling his responsibilities when Jesus returns, Luke 12:37. The One who was
prepared to wash the disciples feet is not adverse to being a waiter to honour
the faithful. What a wonderful and gracious Lord we serve and worship.
When we
apply the psalm to our circumstances can we recall the Lord ‘feeding’ us in a
strange place? Mary and I were on a short term mission and study trip to Africa
and experienced the Lord’s ‘picnic table.’ We were not so much in enemy
territory, but in the midst of a different culture. What did the Lord do to
refresh us? We went to a camp for refugees from a civil war. There we met some
Christians who welcomed us, spoke English and shared a time of worship with us
in their distinct celebratory style. Also, in the camp were family members of
people we knew back home. What a joy to tell them of their loved ones and to be
able to take messages back home! The stress and strain of ministry and travel
were eased then swamped by God’s grace reaching us through His people.
The
concept of the table is also more than simply sharing a meal. It is coming
under the protection of the householder. Even if enemies found themselves
within the same house and at the same table honour forbade them to begin
hostilities. It was offensive to the owner and to the culture. In psalm 41:9
David speaks about a person who breached this trust. Such a person is personified
in Judas at the Passover time in the Upper Room with Jesus. (A similar breach
is told in Jeremiah 41:1-3.)
With that
in mind I wonder if the following words of the verse take on a deeper meaning:
Rather than David’s enemies prowling the perimeters or spying from hidden
vantage points, they are sharing in the table time. This may be hard to accept
until you realise the grace and power of the Shepherd. ‘When the ways of people
please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.’
Proverbs 16:7. The heart of the Good Shepherd and His transforming power is
written about by Paul in Ephesians 2. An implacable dislike, even hatred,
between Jews and Gentiles, is overcome when both make Jesus Saviour and Lord.
He is our peace. He breaks down our barriers. He puts us into one Body (the Church)
and we are ‘built together spiritually.’
What then
does this tell us about ‘sheep head-butting sheep?’ Something is wrong. The
have been bitten by a parasite and its causing them to be ‘unsheep like.’ It
also effects their relationship with the Shepherd. Something is overriding His
indwelling grace. Something is creating a betrayal of their ‘table manners.’
Unless this spiritual ‘bug’ is removed it will devour faith, relationships and testimony.
Imagine what would have happened after the betrayal of Jesus by all the
disciples in the Upper Room. Guilt, self-righteousness, denial, shame and the
‘blame-game’ would have made null and void their future message – if they had a
future. What did Jesus call on them to do to prove each of them as disciples?
To love each other! (Read John 13). That was the power of Christ’s resurrection
grace, redemption and forgiveness. It had overwhelmed their betrayal of their
Lord. It also dealt with any recriminations they would have held against themselves
and each other.
The
Lord’s Table (Communion or Eucharist) is the ‘sheep’s’ table today. There our
Shepherd wants to refresh us, equip us, sooth our troubled heart and mind, heal
broken relationships and mend any shredded witness. Read why this is so
important in 1 Corinthians 1o:16-22. 11:17-32. When Jesus is our Lord and He
breathes His peace in us then we will be at peace with each other.
Then He
can anoint our individual and collective heads – but that is for next week.
©Ray
Hawkins March 2016
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