The Lord is my shepherd, and other oxymorons.

Our congregation frequently sings about Jesus as Lord, but we seldom talk about it. Perhaps we are uncomfortable with this image of king or ruler, but it is a primary theme in scripture. On this "Reign of Christ" Sunday, we come to the end of the church year and prepare for the new year that begins with Advent. Ezekial 34:11-16, 20-24, Matthew 25:31-46, and Psalm 95:1-7 all point to God and Jesus as King over all creation. But the image is a King who is a sheep-herder! This is a radical, astonishing image; an oxymoron. What does this tell us about Christ, and about the Kingdom of God? The picture of God and God's kingdom is complex and multi-layered. Let us embrace the full image of Christ as king and Christ as shepherd.