"The GOOD SHEPHERD Lays Down HIS Life For The Sheep!"

The infinite tenderness of JESUS!
(Charles Spurgeon)

"HE will feed HIS flock like a shepherd. 
HE will carry the lambs in HIS arms, 
holding them close to HIS heart. 
HE will gently lead the mother sheep 
with their young." Isaiah 40:11

Who is HE of whom such gracious words  
are spoken? HE is THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 
Why does HE carry the lambs in HIS arms, 
holding them close to HIS heart? Because 
HE has a tender heart, and any weakness 
in them 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 those who cost HIM so dear.  

"I am the GOOD SHEPHERD. The GOOD 
SHEPHERD lays down HIS life for 
the sheep!"   John 10:11

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 t

he 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 promises just as they stand, 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 will carry the lambs in HIS arms, 
holding them close to HIS heart!"

Here is boundless affection: 
would HE hold them close to HIS 
heart, 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. 

"I give them eternal life, and 
they will never perish--ever! 
No one will snatch them out 
of MY hand!" John 10:28

Here is perfect rest and sweetest comfort.

Surely we are not sufficiently sensible 
of the infinite tenderness of JESUS! 

  
 ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published J.R. Miller's very insightful short article, 
"The Ethics of Home-decoration".