There are few words as well known from the
Bible as the 23rd Psalm. If a
movie has a funeral it is almost obligatory to have these words in the
scene. It is quoted in poetry, song, and
even rap.
The images in this psalm are earthy. They’re easy to grasp. The shepherd tends his sheep. Pastures and still waters form pastoral
scenes. The valley of the shadow of
death conjures images of dark and dangerous paths. A rich feast overflowing with wonderful food fills
the table the Lord prepares.
These images all contribute to why this psalm
is so beloved. Yet, the context within
which this psalm is most often read forms the basis for why it is so deeply
cherished. It is read at time of death,
to the dying and to the grieving.
It’s not that it can’t be read at other
times. It is a perfectly beautiful word
from the Lord that speaks for his provision and protection for us as we live in
this world. It shows the LORD feeding his sheep just
as He truly does every week in Word and Sacrament, even as He has anointed us
in the waters of baptism.
Yet at the time of death, we find few words
as comfortable and comforting as these. Perhaps
that is because that at the time of death is when we find ourselves the most
powerless, the weakest, and the most cognizant of our need for someone to guide
and protect us. Something inside of us
knows we were not created to die, but to live forever.
For all the ways our culture embraces death
and destruction (abortion, euthanasia, violence, addiction) we are still appalled
by it. Just go to the funeral home after
someone commits suicide. Listen to what
people say. It is built into us to prefer
life over death. Yet in a perverse
twist, death for others can be seen as a convenience for us. What matters is “my” life.
One of the toughest, most ornery men I have
ever known was terrified of death. He’d
never admit it. He talked a good game
even claiming that he’d prefer death to lingering illness and hinting darkly
that he might “speed the process” if he found himself debilitated, although he
claimed those who committed suicide were cowards. Yet he never went to funeral, never visited
the funeral home, and never publicly grieved with others. He was avoiding facing his own
mortality.
This is one of the incredible things about
being a Christian. We don’t need to fear
death. That doesn’t mean that we look to
speed it along, but we need not fear it.
We know someone who has been there, he has passed the gated of death and
has come back alive. Obviously, I am referring
to Jesus who is recognized throughout the world as the Crucified and Risen
One. He is the firstfruits from death,
among all who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20) He knows the way through death. In fact, He is the way through
death, so He guides and protects us through this fearful part of our earthly
life as He brings us to eternal life with Him in Glory.
So we live remembering this important piece
of God’s salvation: “For none of us
lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to
the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or
whether we die, we are the Lord's. For
to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead
and of the living.” (Rom 14:7-9 ESV)
Lord Jesus, thank You for redeeming me and promising to lead me through the
valley of the shadow of death. I need
fear no evil, because I belong to You.
Thank You for making me yours.
Amen.
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