The Good Shepherd Came Down

Meditations on Psalm 23:6

On Christmas morning I’m going to lead Church of the Open Door through meditations of the wonder of Psalm 23 in light if the Incarnation. Because of Christmas, King David’s words describe the reality of our lives as Christians. The Lord is my Shepherd.

I’m journaling through a verse every morning this week, meditating on the actuality of Christ being my Good Shepherd who showed up in a manger in Bethlehem so that all that David says and feels about his Good Shepherd is true of me.

Here’s Day 6, Verse 6. You may want to subscribe or go to edunderwood.com to keep up with the series daily.

Day 6: Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life  (Psalm 23:6, NET Bible).

It’s (Kind of) A Wonderful Life

One of our Christmas Eve traditions when our children were growing up was to finish off the evening watching that Christmas classic, It’s A Wonderful Life. 

Last night we were trying to do just that with two worn out little Newkirk grandchildren, Zachy and Sam.

They had just about had it. All they wanted to do was go home and go to bed.

I pushed pause on the movie to help Zachy with his pajamas when my daughter, Celia, admitted out loud what we all were thinking, “This just isn’t working. We need to get these boys to bed; it’s been a long day. Christmas traditions just have to adjust to reality!”

She’s right of course.

Christmas traditions just have to adjust to the realities of life.

I’m sure you can remember some Christmases when you’ve had to adjust your traditions to the realities of life.

• A dying loved one
• A wayward child
• A job loss
• A strained family relationship
• A cross-country move.

But He’s (Absolutely) Good and Faithful

The last line of David’s song to the Good Shepherd assures us that whatever Christmases future may bring, there is one constant in our lives–the goodness and mercy of the Good Shepherd.

He uses an interesting verb translated pursue in the NET Bible. The term usually describes the relentless pursuit of an enemy or a stalking beast. Instead of being chased down by a relentless enemy, we’re being pursued by a Good Shepherd. He’s so good and faithful that David personifies these traits as our relentless pursuers.

I don’t know about you, but this helps me in this world where the prospect of future “Merry” Christmases seems more at risk every year.

Question: How have you experienced the Good Shepherd’s goodness and faithfulness this Christmas?

The Good Shepherd Came Down

Meditations on Psalm 23:5

On Christmas morning I’m going to lead Church of the Open Door through meditations of the wonder of Psalm 23 in light if the Incarnation. Because of Christmas, King David’s words describe the reality of our lives as Christians. The Lord is my Shepherd.

I’m journaling through a verse every morning this week, meditating on the actuality of Christ being my Good Shepherd who showed up in a manger in Bethlehem so that all that David says and feels about his Good Shepherd is true of me.

Here’s Day 5, Verse 5. You may want to subscribe or go to edunderwood.com to keep up with the series daily.

Day Five: You prepare a feast before m in the plain sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full (Psalm 23:5, NET Bible).

Best Christmas Ever!

“This is shaping up to be a pretty good Christmas.”

“Best Christmas ever!”

These are the sentences we all use. Sentences that betray our deep need to maximize the experience of this special season.

Problem is that when we’re honest with ourselves, there just aren’t that many “best-ever Christmases.” Even when we’re in the middle of a good one, we know that this is a happiness that can’t last.

All I have to do is think about some of our friends around the world or in our church who walk with Christ. In spite of their devotion to Christ, 2011 has been a year they’d just soon forget. Their prospects for a “perfect Christmas” are bad, very bad.

This is where verse 5 of David’s song about and to his Good Shepherd comes in.

Really David?

When I read the narrative accounts of David’s life, I have a hard time placing Psalm 23. When exactly did he experience all of this goodness? King David was constantly at war and dealing with the political intrigue and pressures of life “within the beltway” of Jerusalem.

His family was a mess. His own son tried to take his throne.

He sinned terribly. His adulterous and murderous behavior scandalized his administration.

He lost a baby.

So when exactly was this time when his cup of life was completely full?

A Good Shepherd in a Bad World

The secret to David’s joy in verse 5 was that he chose to focus on his Shepherd rather than his circumstances.

On his worst day, David knew that his Shepherd was still good.

David’s secret can be our secret. If ever there was a season we should concentrate on the goodness of our Shepherd rather than the badness of our life, it’s Christmas.

Question: What are some ways you’ve found that help you think more about the goodness of your Shepherd than the badness of your life during Christmas?

The Good Shepherd Came Down

Meditations on Psalm 23:3

On Christmas morning I’m going to lead Church of the Open Door through meditations of the wonder of Psalm 23 in light if the Incarnation. Because of Christmas, King David’s words describe the reality of our lives as Christians. The Lord is my Shepherd.

I’m journaling through a verse every morning this week, meditating on the actuality of Christ being my Good Shepherd who showed up in a manger in Bethlehem so that all that David says and feels about his Good Shepherd is true of me.

Here’s Day 3, Verse 3. You may want to subscribe or go to edunderwood.com to keep up with the series daily.

Day Three: He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation (Psalm 23:3, NET Bible).

Every Christian needs the Good Shepherd’s strength during the demanding days ramping up to December 25th.

But verse 3 makes me think about some friends and loved ones who are facing more than the every-year pressures of Christmas.

These are those precious disciples of the Savior who are walking with Him through life’s toughest days.

The newly-single mom trying to somehow make this Christmas less painful for her children now that “daddy” (and I use that term grudgingly) decided he wants a new family.

The Bible teacher fighting for her next breath from a body full of cancer.

The spouse stuck in a loveless marriage because of a “life-partner” (and I use that term grudgingly too) who has decided they’re not going to live for Christ, their marriage, the children, and others but for their own interests, career, and fulfillment.

For these dear followers of Christ, Christmas hurts too much to get all festive.

Does this describe your life this year?

If so, Psalm 23:3 is your verse.

Your Good Shepherd wants you to know that he will restore your strength, even when the pain of life takes your breath away.

Your Good Shepherd promises that if you will take his hand and trust him with the pain of the next challenge, the next hurt, the next day, hour, or minute, he will take you down the right path for you.

He can’t promise that it’s going to be okay this Christmas. But he does promise that if you trust him enough to follow, he will redeem your pain in ways that enhance his reputation.

Question: Does this describe your Christmas this year? Write me and I promise to pray for you. 

The Good Shepherd Came Down

Meditations on Psalm 23:2

On Christmas morning I’m going to lead Church of the Open Door through meditations of the wonder of Psalm 23 in light if the Incarnation. Because of Christmas, King David’s words describe the reality of our lives as Christians. The Lord is my Shepherd.

I’m journaling through a verse every morning this week, meditating on the actuality of Christ being my Good Shepherd who showed up in a manger in Bethlehem so that all that David says and feels about his Good Shepherd is true of me.

Here’s Day Two, Verse 2. You may want to subscribe or go to edunderwood.com to keep up with the series daily.

Day Two: He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water (Psalm 23:2, NET Bible).

Sometimes I forget that David was a king. Imagine the pressures on his schedule—the endless meetings, the long lines of people needing their king, the palace operatives demanding an audience. And all of this while trying to appease the too many wives and too neglected children of his highly dysfunctional family.

Still, in the blur of his kingly schedule, David prioritized his personal time with his Good Shepherd. Whether on the battlefield, around the palace, with his flocks, or in the charged atmosphere of his home, David made time for his Shepherd.

Why?

Because David knew that only his Shepherd could take him to that place where the two of them could be alone, that place of rest and refreshment.

Right now, on the 21^st of December, I’m so unlike David I’m ashamed to admit it. Unlike David, I’m exhausted. Not from leading armies into battle or settling arguments between the Secretary of State and a Senator, but from celebrating the birth of the Good Shepherd!

But it’s not his fault; it’s mine.

There’s not one sentence in his entire Bible that says, “Okay, Ed, when my birthday comes, make such a big deal about it that you stop just short of killing yourself and everyone else with special events, parties, and activities. That’s what I want from you in December. Wait, that’s not enough, I want you to start all of this right after Thanksgiving…or better yet, before Thanksgiving!”

No, all he wants from me in December is what he wants from me the other eleven months of the year.

He just wants me.

To stop what I’m doing, look up at him, and say, “Hi, Jesus.” And he will take me by the hand and lead me to the same place he used to take David to. That quiet place where the two of us can be alone so he can give me rest and refresh my soul. That place where I lie down and completely relax because I trust my Good Shepherd. He knows what’s best for me, loves me deeply, and cares for my every need because I’m his special concern.

I need to be more like King David as I celebrate the birth of the Good Shepherd who only wants to take me to lush pastures and lead me to refreshing water.

Time to stop what I’m doing, grab my Bible and my journal, and spend an hour with my Good Shepherd.

Questions: Have you lost sight of the Shepherd’s goodness in trying to celebrate his birth? What are some ways you have discovered that you can pause to let him lead you to your place of rest and refreshment? 

The Good Shepherd Came Down

Meditations on Psalm 23:1

On Christmas morning I’m going to lead Church of the Open Door through meditations of the wonder of Psalm 23 in light if the Incarnation. Because of Christmas, King David’s words describe the reality of our lives as Christians. The Lord is my Shepherd.

I’m journaling through a verse every morning this week, meditating on the actuality of Christ being my Good Shepherd who showed up in a manger in Bethlehem so that all that David says and feels about his Good Shepherd is true of me.

Here’s Day One, Verse 1. You may want to subscribe to edunderwood.com to make sure you can keep up with the series daily.

Day One: The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing (Psalm 23:1, NET Bible).

But I feel like I lack, Lord. I feel like I lack a lot. The world tells me I lack. When I compare my life to others, it seems like it lacks a lot. And Christmas doesn’t help. That’s when I seem most aware of my lack.

I have to admit that if I’m not careful, I’ll spend most of my time focusing on what I lack.

• I lack an entire sense! Because of this lymphoma, I can’t smell, Lord. I haven’t smelled the ocean or a Ponderosa pine or coffee since 2003. I lack!
• I lack a book contract! You seem to let others publish books that just heap shame and guilt on your people. All I want to do is write about your grace and goodness. It’s not really fair. I lack!
• I lack the opportunities I want to pursue at Church of the Open Door. There’s so much we as staff and elders want to do for you, but we don’t even know if we’re going to be able to fund the ministries we already have because of this economy. I lack!
• I lack opportunities to see my children and my grandchildren. Other people get to spend buckets of time with their extended family. But Judy and I have one family in New York and another in Oregon. We’re not going to be with them this Christmas and it hurts. I lack!

And I’m just getting started. I could go on and on and you know I could Lord. There are heartaches that won’t go away, prayers for marriages and sick people that you don’t seem to hear. I have to go to the doctor too much and don’t get me started talking about the fact that I’m 61 and have no retirement plan! I lack!!!!

But when I read these words, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing,” I know that it’s simply not true that I lack these things. How could it be that I lack anything in life if you are my Shepherd, the One who came to earth so that I could have your life and you could lead me?

Please forgive me for these false conclusions I have drawn from the circumstances of my life that deny my Christmas reality. Please forgive me for listening to this world rather than your Word and my redeemed heart.

I agree with David: The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.

Question: Do you need to make a list like mine, an “I thought I lacked this list,” and confess your denial of your Christmas reality? 

A Song About Christmas

I don’t know what young King David was picturing in his mind when God promised him that one of his descendents would reign forever in a Kingdom that God Himself would establish (2 Samuel 7). I suspect David’s pictures were pretty earthy and everyday.

But I do know what an older, more seasoned King David was picturing in his mind about forty years later, because after God had given him an oracle, a clearer understanding of what he had been promised, David was so overwhelmed that he wrote a song describing the majestic, supernatural coming of his Heir, the Priest-King, Psalm 110. The song has three parts:

• Conversation between YHWH and Adonai telling Adonai to sit it YHWH’s right hand until YHWH sends Adonai to establish His Kingdom (1-2).
• Description of the Coming Kingdom of Adonai (3-4).
• Warning that Adonai’s Coming to establish His Kingdom will involve judgment of the wicked (5-7).

Heresy or Hope?

Jews of Jesus’ time knew that Messiah would be a physical descendent of David, but they were not expecting this physical descendent of David to also be the Son of God. Jesus proved this simply by pointing out to them who was writing verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 110: David. You can read about it in Mark 12:35-37.

And that is our simple Christmas Truth—the baby born at Bethlehem was God.

They would not receive it because to them this was a scandalous idea, a shocking declaration, a shameful proposition. They didn’t want a God who came down to be one of them.

Another Hebrew, the author of the book of Hebrews, put this Incarnation into it’s most practical application: Hebrews 4:14-16. There he speaks of the wonder of the Son of God experiencing life as a human so that He could sympathize with our every temptation, our every trial!

We receive it because to us it’s not a scandalous idea but a cherished truth, not a shocking declaration but a comforting hope, not a shameful proposition but a glorious reason to worship Him and commemorate His birth. We want a God who came down to be one of us.

That’s our Christmas Truth—the baby born at Bethlehem was God.

Whatever pain you’re facing this Christmas, know that there is One who sits at the Right Hand of the Father who knows exactly how you feel. You’re not alone in your pain; Jesus is watching with a sympathetic heart.

The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14).

Nightly Battle

I fight an almost nightly battle that you might find a little too familiar. My mind defaults to the problems and pressures of life the moment I try to relax. Thoughts fly toward worst-case scenarios—what will we do if? Or how will we ever get past that?

For some reason, Christmas just multiplies my anxious thoughts.

When this happens, there’s always one verse that brings me back to the sweet center of trust. Sometimes it even brings a smile just before I doze off.

What Are You Worried About?

If you’re wondering, “What could it be that keeps you up at night fretting Ed?” here it is. Please know, I’m not telling you this to show you how difficult my life is. I’m telling you this so that you can know that my life is just like yours. We’re all under pressure and worrying about our families, our friends, and our country; it’s just that we’re worrying about different details and pressures.

These are things that keep me awake:

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Recently I read Mark 4. The last line of the chapter led me to write this in my journal:

“Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:41)

Wow, Lord. Even as we’re attracted to your strength, it scares us. When we get in the boat with you and the storm comes, we plea to you, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” (v. 39) But then, when you exhibit your raw power as the Son of God, we secretly think, “Man, there’s nothing He can’t do. This is a little intimidating, praying to an all-powerful God.”

I thought about that paragraph, and wrote:

But still, if we’re not in the boat being tossed around by the wind and the waves, we’ll never see your power. So, Lord, I’m telling you right now, “I want the storm. Bring on the waves! Anything, as long as I am in the boat with you. Show me your power.”

Me and Jesus Wearing Capes!

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Had there been network or cable news 2,000 years ago, would ABC, CNN, or Fox News have covered the most significant event in human history up to that time?

I can’t see how the birth of the Son of God would have made the news. With Augustus Caesar raising taxes exponentially to support his extravagant lifestyle, the political intrigue within the “beltway” of political operatives and talking heads in Rome, and wars and troubles in the territories of the Empire, a baby born to a young Jewish mother too poor to afford health care or housing in a little known suburb of Jerusalem would go virtually unnoticed.

So, while Rome was preoccupied with empire-building, a couple from Nazareth of Galilee traveled 90 miles south of the city of their ancestor King David, a town called Bethlehem. In the womb of the young virgin was the very Son of God. And at precisely the right moment the Savior of the world was born…not in a palace but a cave…not on sterile sheets in a nursery but on straw in a manger…under the evening sky.

But the press release in heaven documented the Incarnation of the Son of God with bold headlines, “The fullness of times has come! Good tidings of great joy will be to all people. For there is born to us today in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, goodwill toward men.

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