The Gospel According to Matt

Depending on your political persuasion you might have some highly respectful nicknames to describe our President or you might have some rather negative ones that reveal your dissatisfaction.  But how about this nickname: SHEPHERD?  As in the “The president is my shepherd.”  Sound strange?  Is the president’s job to lead, protect, and defend our people?

I have fond memories of my high school football coach, Brit Williams.  He was a good man and a good coach.  He protected our players and equipped us success.  He knew us personally and took an interest in each of our lives.  He spent countless ours teaching us.  he commanded our respect.  And for some players who were less fortunate he even helped provide for basic needs.  When I was playing high school football I could have said: “The coach is my shepherd.”

Of course I cannot forget my parents.  They provided for my needs growing up.  Did they make mistakes?  Sure.  But they fed me, they led me, they loved me, they educated me, they clothed me, they protected me, they sheltered me, they nurtured me, they guided me, and they kept my best interests in mind.  Growing up I could have said: “My parents are my shepherds.”

But what did the poet/king David mean in Psalm 23 when he penned the famous words: The Lord is my Shepherd?  That’s the question that we’ll begin to answer this weekend in a new sermon series entitled “The Shepherd: A Brief Study of the 23rd Psalm.”  You are welcome to listen to this sermon series at www.crossroadsofjoliet.org/listen.html, starting 6/27/08.