Fourth Sunday in Lent
Readings — I Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41
Part I The Lord God is our Good Shepherd, especially in troubling times, like when it feels like we are walking the valley of the shadow of death. God is there with us walking in the darkness with us.
If you don’t quite know the 23rd Psalm by heart, I strongly recommend that you practice until you can say it without notes, when the dark times come, when the storms cone, or just at night after the lights are out and the day’s complete. The Lord God is our Good Shepherd, our guide, our companion.
Part II The Lord God, in our text from the Old Testament, is shepherding the prophet, Samuel. Samuel had anointed the first king of Israel, King Saul. It did not go well. Samuel was heartbroken, grieving over King Saul’s tragic descent. The Lord God was ready to move on and to raise up another king. Samuel was commissioned to begin the search, traveling to Bethlehem to anoint a son of Jesse. At the feast in Bethlehem, seven sons of Jesse appeared. Of course, Samuel expected that the eldest son, Eliab, would be the chosen one. Still, Samuel listened to the voice of the Lord God, speaking in his heart. The answer – No. Samuel moved on to the second son, Abinadad. Again, listening to the guiding voice of the Good Shepherd, the response – No. The Lord God patiently waited as Samuel approached son after son, all seven, and Samuel heard seven times the No of the Lord God. So, Samuel asked Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” It is then that we learn that there is an eighth son, the youngest, out minding the sheep, David. With patience, the Lord God awaited David’s arrival at the feast. Then Samuel heard these words, “Rise and anoint him”.
Remember, the number eight is special for the People of God. Our traditional baptismal fonts are eight-sided to remind us that the resurrection of Jesus is the eighth day of creation, the seven days of Genesis plus one.
Following the anointing of the child David as the second King of Israel, the Lord God guided the prophet Samuel to Ramah, and on to more continued service.
Part III In the Lord God’s service we are never walking along. As the Lord God was patient in Bethlehem with Samuel, so the Lord God patiently walks with us. The Lord God goes the extra miles, guiding, walking, leading, mentoring. This is surely the Lord God we know in Jesus, through all the valleys of the shadow of death, and through all the valleys of the brilliant sunshine.
We never walk alone. The Lord God is our Good Shepherd.
Amen
