He shall gather the lambs with his arm

Charles Spurgeon

“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!

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