In Psalm 23 David describes the LORD as a Shepherd who causes us to lack and want for nothing. The result is that we stretch out in grassy pastures beside quiet waters, free of fear from predators and the irritation of parasites. Ahhhh, blissful contentment! Thanks to our LORD, the Good Shepherd!
As a pastor who recently studied, prepared, and preached Psalm 23, I found the concept of sheep being “stretched out” or as it is typically translated, made to “lie down” incredibly profound. W. Phillip Keller’s book, A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23, was beyond insightful. Keller, a legit shepherd for many years, points out four criteria necessary for sheep to actually “lie down,” free of: 1) fear, 2) friction, 3) pests, and 4) hunger/thirst.
When I read Keller’s statement, “the freedom of fear from the torment of parasites… is essential to the contentment of sheep,” it hit me like a ton of bricks! Today in our churches we are plagued with parasites to the extent that the flock is deprived of contentment. The definition of a parasite is an organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense… a person who habitually relies on or exploits others and gives nothing in return.
For years I’ve referred to a large segment within American evangelical churches as consumers. I’m convinced that’s a misnomer. Consumers actually pay for goods and services. Failure to do so is criminal. There is certainly a consumer segment, but the plight and plague of the American church isn’t the consumer Christian - it’s the parasites; it is the perpetual convenience-crowd who derive nutrients, i.e. the benefits of ministries and benevolence, while giving nothing in return.
A quality shepherd can readily identify parasites. They look nothing like sheep. They have none of the characteristics of sheep. They latch on and extract, seize, devour, ingest, and inhale to the flock's detriment. Meanwhile, hired sheepmen habitually ignore the growing infestation plaguing the flock, the shepherd-owner - the one personally and intimately invested in the health and welfare of his sheep - is both proactive in his treatment for parasites and keen recognition of their presence.
This Sunday I’ll be preaching on Jesus’ parable of the soils. It’s often erroneously referred to as the parable of the sower or the parable of the seeds. The point of the parable is the resulting outcome from where the seed lands. While Jesus undoubtedly identifies four soil types - the main point is the harvest or lack thereof. Therefore, the four soils fall into two distinct categories: 1) disciples who produce an abundant harvest, and 2) other.
Clearly, the hard-packed soil represents those in blatant opposition to the Gospel. Clearly, the good soil represents the fruit-producing disciples who are the Good Shepherd’s sheep. But what of the other two categories: rocky soil and weed-infested? Are these legit believers who fall away? The straightforward answer is no.
Jesus paints a very clear picture throughout the Gospels - and the whole of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation - the faithful saints of God are surrendered, obedient, storm-enduring, fruit producing blessings to all the families, tribes, nations on earth. Those who shoot up quickly only to wither under the heat of the day and those choked out by the worries of life produce nothing but thorns, thistles, and bad fruit. Jesus unashamedly, graciously, thankfully, and emphatically categorizes every possible nuanced category apart from authentic fruit-producing disciples as the rebellious, unrepentant, ingenuine destined for Hell.
Jesus paints a very clear picture throughout the Gospels - and the whole of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation - the faithful saints of God are surrendered, obedient, storm-enduring, fruit producing blessings to all the families, tribes, nations on earth. Those who shoot up quickly only to wither under the heat of the day and those choked out by the worries of life produce nothing but thorns, thistles, and bad fruit. Jesus unashamedly, graciously, thankfully, and emphatically categorizes every possible nuanced category apart from authentic fruit-producing disciples as the rebellious, unrepentant, ingenuine destined for Hell.
Bridging the gap between these two iconic passages of Scripture is no stretch. Psalm 23 teaches us the LORD is our Shepherd who leads us to lie down - to stretch out in blissful contentment - in grassy pastures free from hunger, fear, friction, and parasites. The parable of the soils teaches us those “intermediary” categories of the sun-roasted rocky soil and worry-wart weed-infested soil aren’t “casual,” “consumer,” or any “other” category of Christian at all. Instead, they are flock-infesting, harbingers of vexation, and contentment-robbing parasites requiring immediate and complete eradication.
Jesus’ strategy wasn’t to establish a “seeker-friendly” religious movement. Instead, He constantly and vehemently discouraged, dissuaded, and deterred those coming from and for ANY reason other than the unquenchable compulsion of the Holy Spirit’s call.
No hot cocoa, free cookies, finger sandwiches, convenient times/locations, valet parking, comfortable temperature, or entertainment necessary. Jesus simply preached a message of repentance, the Good News of the kingdom, and its King. He revealed His legit disciples would unashamedly take it straight to the Gates of Hell - and conquer… no raffles, prizes, or stick and carrot necessary.
Just look at Stephen, Paul, Polycarp, Wycliffe, Huss, Tyndale, Bonhoeffer, and countless others - not strapped with explosives flying into buildings or going down in a hail of gunfire - but who willingly went to their deaths for the sake of the Gospel.
No hot cocoa, free cookies, finger sandwiches, convenient times/locations, valet parking, comfortable temperature, or entertainment necessary. Jesus simply preached a message of repentance, the Good News of the kingdom, and its King. He revealed His legit disciples would unashamedly take it straight to the Gates of Hell - and conquer… no raffles, prizes, or stick and carrot necessary.
Just look at Stephen, Paul, Polycarp, Wycliffe, Huss, Tyndale, Bonhoeffer, and countless others - not strapped with explosives flying into buildings or going down in a hail of gunfire - but who willingly went to their deaths for the sake of the Gospel.
Is that what your shepherd/pastor is preaching? Is that the kind of culture your church is cultivating? Demanding? Are church leaders diligent in the prevention and treatment of parasites? They are no mere consumers. They take much and contribute nothing. They're easily spotted as perpetually arriving late, leaving early, extracting, seizing, devouring, inhaling, thankless, and joy-deprived nuisances to the flock. They worship self-contentment rather than Christ. They serve their own agenda rather than Christ’s mission. There is filth, trash, and destruction in their path.
The sheep of the Good Shepherd aren’t offended at the prevention and fervid eradication of parasites. Instead, it causes them to stretch out in ridiculously blissful contentment and emphatically exclaim, “The LORD is my Shepherd; I lack nothing!”
Indeed!
Blessings,
-Kevin M. Kelley
aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com
