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Jesus: Shepherd and Trailblazer

 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,."
(from Psalm 23)


Psalm 23 highlights God's comfort and care also inviting us to connect with the deeper radical claims confronting our experiences of suffering, fear, hostility, and alienation.

The rural comparation connects strongly with Christians, especially in seeing Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Pointing to God’s ongoing blessing and presence.

Awareness of Psalm 23 can hide new meaning in the Psalm.

Careful study reveals it as a journey from rest through valleys, always guided by God.

For example, there is a real “Valley of the shadow of death” known as the Wadi Qelt.

steep-sided desert valley (wadi) in the Judean Desert, extending from near Jerusalem to Jericho. Known as a "valley of the shadow of death" due to its steep, treacherous terrain, considered the setting for the Good Samaritan parable.

Travelers on the dangerous 7-mile journey from Jerusalem to Jericho could expect to be beaten and robbed.

Jesus is seen as the trailblazer of the paths of righteousness guiding us towards right relationships with both God and each other.

According to the psalm, these righteous paths don't simply connect the green pastures to the house of the Lord.

Instead, they pass through the valley of the shadow of death".

Rather than enemies, "goodness and mercy" pursue the psalmist, and "dwell" might be better interpreted as "return," suggesting ongoing pursuit of God's presence.

“Paths of righteousness” refer to living in a way that honors God and maintains relationships.

 Jesus the trailblazer guides us through the paths of righteousness, even in hardship to God’s continuing blessings 
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