May 14, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom." — Isaiah 40:11 · KJV

Who is this of whom such gracious words are spoken? He is the Good Shepherd. Why does He carry the lambs close to His heart? Because He has a tender heart, and any weakness moves Him at once. The sighs, the ignorance, the frailty of the little ones of His flock draw out His compassion. It is His work, as a faithful High Priest, to give thought to the weak. Besides, He purchased them with His blood; they are His property, and He must and will care for what cost Him so dearly. Then too He is responsible for each lamb, bound by covenant engagements not to lose one. And they are all a part of His glory and reward. But how are we to understand the promise that He will carry them? Sometimes He carries them by not allowing them to endure much trial; providence handles them gently. Often they are carried by being filled with an unusual measure of love, so that they hold up and stand firm. Their knowledge may not be deep, but they find great sweetness in what they do know. Frequently He carries them by giving them a very simple faith, which takes the promise exactly as it stands and runs with every trouble straight to Jesus, believing. The plainness of their faith gives them an unusual degree of confidence that lifts them above the world. He carries the lambs in His arms, close to His heart. Here is boundless affection; would He hold them so close if He did not love them greatly? Here is tender nearness they are so near that they could not possibly be nearer. Here is holy familiarity, for there are precious exchanges of love between Christ and His weak ones. Here is perfect safety: held there, who can harm them? They would have to harm the Shepherd first. Here is perfect rest and the sweetest comfort. Surely we are not nearly aware enough of the infinite tenderness of Jesus!