Grace to you and peace from God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Henry W. Baker wrote the hymn “The King of Love My Shepherd is” and first published it in 1868. This hymn has been called “perhaps the most beautiful of all the countless hymns based on Psalm 23. In the spirit of the Reformation and its charge to have God’s word heard in the vernacular languages of the people of God, Baker paraphrases the well-loved Psalm in beautiful English poetry. As he does this, his words point us to Christ as He is found in the Old Testament. Jesus does not mysteriously appear in the gospels. No, He is there from before the foundation of the world. After all, we confess Him as “the only begotten Son of the Father, begotten of His Father before all worlds.” He’s there as the “Let there be’s” of Genesis are spoken. He’s there grieving over the wickedness of creation and the coming flood to destroy all mankind, save for Noah and his family. And, He remains close at hand as the ark is tossed about in the raging waters. He hears Israel’s plea for freedom in Egypt and witnesses the plagues that spared them yet ravaged the rest of the country. He remains today as we face these uncharted waters of the pandemic of 2020. He’s been through plague and pestilence before fulfilling His promise never to leave or forsake His flock.
“The King of Love my Shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever. Jesus said, I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. The Good Shepherd guards His flock, richly and daily providing for all of our needs for this life amidst sickness and death. During this time of uncertainty, it’s easy to lose sight of the peace we have through Christ Jesus. COVID-19 is here. Just this morning, Leavenworth County, where I live, announced a 30 Day stay at home order beginning on Tuesday. We’ve watched from afar as others have faced this peril; it’s always been somebody else’s problem. But, now, it’s our turn. Even in the midst of this suffering we confess boldly along with our brothers and sisters in Christ, “I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever.”
You know the promises of God, but we have not acted as God’s children. This emergency leads us also to reflect on our sins and repent of them. We’ll have lots of time over the next few weeks to reflect on what really matters, the forgiveness of God through Christ Jesus. Approach the Father by the side of His Only-Begotten Son pleading for mercy with heads held low, wearied by the weight of sin and suffering. “Repent!” Jesus says. Acknowledge your trespasses. Don’t deny your transgressions of God’s holy Law. You are laden with iniquity. You have neglected your prayers and abandoned your fellow believers by your absence from God’s house. You have thought more highly of the treasures of this world that moth and rust destroy than the treasures of heaven which never fade away. Your mouths are filled with harsh, vile words. Your thoughts are even worse. Your prosperity has made you arrogant. You’ve come to believe whatever your itching ears and evil heart’s desire. You think that God owes you more than he has already given you. You despise the precious gift of His Son’s body and blood by neglect and by your own arrogance. You treat the Sacrament as a game, a thing to be passed around as any other possession given to you by God. You think you know better than God who gave you body and soul, eyes, ears, reason, and senses. The same God who gives you food, clothes, family, shelter, and everything else you need.
“Perverse and foolish oft I’ve stratyed, But yet in love He sought me, And on His shoulder gently laid And home rejoicing brought me.” God calls you this day to repentance. He wants to give you the forgiveness won for you by the Good Shepherd who laid down His own life that the sheep might live. “In death’s dark vale I fear no ill, With Thee, dear Lord, to guide me, Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy cross before to guide me. Thou spreadst a table in mine sight; Thine unction grace bestowing; And oh, what transport of delight From Thy pure chalice floweth.” As we weather the storm before us together as God’s people, what will we do. As Christ’s body, the Church, we know exactly what God expects of us: (1) You shall have no other Gods, (2) Do not misuse the name of God, (3) Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy, (4) Honor your Father and Mother, (5) Do not murder, (6) Do not commit adultery, (7)Do not steal, (8) Do not give false testimony, (9) Do not covet your neighbor’s house, (10) Do not covet your neighbors wife, servants, or anything else that belongs to him. You know the commandments—Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and strength, and Love your neighbor as yourself.
As God’s beloved children, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, we rejoice in all things. Even social distancing, stay home orders, the end of sports, and the unknown to come. You have nothing to fear; to live is Christ but today is gain. Don’t put God to the test. He promises to watch over you, but also gave you your reason and senses. Stay home. Listen to those you have elected to lead us through these challenges. Faith in Christ’s redeeming work doesn’t make you virus-proof. Check on your neighbors. Check on your friends. Check on your family. Now is the time to show Christ’s mercy. Spare some toilet paper or hand soap. Take a meal to someone. Be a walking, talking witness of the Good News. Tell people of Jesus. Don’t give in to the temptation to turn away from God. Set aside some time each day to spend with him. Talk to him in prayer. Watch President Harrison’s daily devotion on Facebook. Listen to the Lutheran Hour. Read your bible alone; read your bible with your family. Use this time as a renewal of personal faith and spiritual disciplines.
God is with you through thick and thin. He is with you in health and He will be with you should sickness come your way. “And so, through all the length of days Thy goodness faileth never; Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise Within Thy house forever.”
And the grace of God which passes all understanding keep
your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.