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[0:00] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

[0:16] ! He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. You know, there is a very, very good reason why people often think of Jesus whenever they hear Psalm 23 read out loud.

[0:40] And that is because in this morning's gospel, Jesus makes a very, very clear statement about himself. For in this morning's gospel, Jesus says, I am the good shepherd.

[0:58] In other words, our Lord is saying, I am King David's shepherd. I am the one who King David was referring to when he first prayed, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

[1:16] For I, Jesus Christ, am King David's God and King David's Lord. For Jesus Christ is the good shepherd.

[1:31] The good shepherd who gives his life for all the sheep. For the Lord maketh his sheep to lie down in green pastures. Just as Jesus had done when he ordered 5,000 men to sit down on the green grass and provided for their want using only five loaves and two small fish.

[1:55] And immediately after that, in all four gospels, do you remember where our Lord went next? He went beside the still waters as he calmed the storm and walked on the sea.

[2:13] For the Lord himself was their shepherd. Therefore, they were not in want. For he might them to lie down in green pastures and led them beside the still waters, restoring their souls as he told the disciples in the boat.

[2:31] Do not be afraid. It is I. Calming the sea and making the waters still. For in paths of righteousness and for his name's sake, our good shepherd leads us.

[2:49] Just as he led David to safety, as King Saul sought to kill him. Just as he led the children of Israel on dry ground, as the Egyptians sought to destroy them.

[3:03] So also does our good shepherd lead us, lead all his sheep, through the valley of the shadow of sin and death and on to life everlasting.

[3:16] Therefore, we shall fear no evil. For if God is for us, who can be against us? For Christ's cross, those two planks of wood, our good shepherd's rod and staff, they comfort us.

[3:36] And have you ever noticed on Psalm 23, after Christ's cross and our good shepherd's rod and staff are mentioned, have you ever noticed how it is no longer just we who are following the good shepherd, but it is now the good shepherd's goodness and mercy that are following us.

[4:00] For thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest the table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil.

[4:11] My cup runneth over. Thou preparest the table before me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

[4:26] For Jesus Christ is the good shepherd. The good shepherd who gives his life for the sheep. And we, we are the sheep.

[4:37] So let us follow our good shepherd. And as good sheep often do, encourage other sheep to do the very same thing and follow the very same path.

[4:52] For in this morning's gospel, God speaks and Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. And I know my sheep and am known by my own.

[5:06] And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold, them also I must bring. And they will hear my voice. And there will be one flock and one shepherd.

[5:18] For Jesus Christ is the good shepherd. Therefore, let us continue to follow him together through the valley of the shadow of death and on to the promised land of life everlasting and bodily resurrection.

[5:35] For Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia. For the good shepherd leads his flock to victory.

[5:46]  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Amen. Amen.