He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom.
-Isaiah 40:11
Who is he of whom such gracious words are spoken? He is THE
GOOD SHEPHERD.Why doth he carry the lambs in his bosom? Because
He hath a tender heart, and any weakness at once melts his
heart . The sighs, the ignorance, the feebleness of the
little ones of his flock draw forth his compassion. It is his
office , as a faithful High Priest, to consider the weak.
Besides, he purchased them with blood, they are his
property : he must and will care for that which cost him so
dear. Then he is responsible for each lamb , bound by
covenant engagements not to lose one. Moreover, they are all a
part of his glory and reward .
But how may we understand the expression, He will carry
them? Sometimes he carries them by not permitting them to
endure much trial . Providence deals tenderly with them.
Often they are carried by being filled with an unusual
degree of love , so that they bear up and stand fast. Though
their knowledge may not be deep, they have great sweetness in
what they do know. Frequently he carries them by giving them
a very simple faith , which takes the promise just as it
stands, and believingly runs with every trouble straight to
Jesus. The simplicity of their faith gives them an unusual
degree of confidence, which carries them above the world.
He carries the lambs in his bosom . Here is boundless
affection . Would he put them in his bosom if he did not love
them much? Here is tender nearness : so near are they, that
they could not possibly be nearer. Here is hallowed
familiarity : there are precious love passages between Christ
and his weak ones. Here is perfect safety : in his bosom who
can hurt them? They must hurt the Shepherd first. Here is
perfect rest and sweetest comfort . Surely we are not
sufficiently sensible of the infinite tenderness of Jesus!