The Lord is my dinner host

If you’ve watched a movie that depicted a funeral in the last 40 years or so, I’d place my bet on two things. One, it was probably raining; and, two, the Scripture quoted by the clergyman was Psalm 23.

I’m not sure how we got there, where Psalm 23 is associated with funerals. I’d guess it’s because verse 4 mentions “the valley of the shadow of death.”

But, take another run at it, and simply read the words as they’re written. This “Shepherd Psalm” is not gloomy at all.

Death is not the topic at hand.

Without seeing those Hollywood graveyard scenes (with people dabbing at their eyes under a canopy of black umbrellas), and hearing some ancient, zombie-looking dude reciting the phrases as if they announce terrible news, you might hear what Psalm 23 is: A lavish recitation of all the benefits God has given to the members of his household.

Psalm 23 is a happy song of confident victory over all the forces of darkness. The proper response is not mourning, but a big fist-pump in the air, with a guttural shout of, “Yes!”

Pop it up on your phone. Just read it. Especially, take note of the last two verses. This is where the metaphor of God-as-shepherd shifts and becomes God-as-dinner-host.

We should understand that new metaphor in light of the legendary hospitality that has been a staple of Mediterranean culture, going all the way back to the beginning. In fact, we see it pictured several times in the book of Genesis, in the lives of Abraham, Lot, Rebekah, Jacob, and Laban. For the owner of a house to invite a stranger in for a meal was a bigger deal than most of us can imagine. Hospitality included a zealous desire to meet every need of the guest, including physical protection from enemies, as circumstances required.

In Psalm 23:5, God is this over-the-top host, displaying abundant hospitality to David. He’s feeding him, while simultaneously dealing with his enemies. He anoints his head with perfumed oil, considered an opulent luxury. And, his cup runs over. (I take this to mean, the host makes sure that David’s drink never runs dry. He is given more than he really needs. Think of the most attentive waitress who ever served you on a hot, summer day, and kept refilling your iced tea.)

Where is the mourning here, or the grief? They don’t exist in this place. It is all joyful thanksgiving.

Then, to sum this up, our Lord, Jesus of Nazareth, was completely familiar with Psalm 23. Frankly, all his listeners were as well. It was probably as beloved then as it is now. He knew all about verse 1, and David’s claim that Yahweh was his shepherd. And, then, having these things in mind, he made the stunning assertion in John 10:11 that, “I am the good shepherd.” He immediately followed that with the notion that the shepherd would give his life for his sheep, to save them.

This recalls the gracious homeowner above, who would take it upon himself to guard his guests.

Friends, how confident are you that you have, in fact, come under this roof, and participate in God’s hospitality?

Gordan Runyan is the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Tucumcari. Contact him at:

[email protected]