Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom… I. With regard to THE PERSONS, they are clearly those who are weary and heavy-laden. They are feeble as well as burdened. Various are the burdens that might be placed before you. 1. I need not say how heavy is the burden of sin, when the Spirit of God first unfolds it to us. 2. And even when there is so much perception of Christ as to leave the spirit without any acknowledged hope but in Christ, and yet with so much of self-righteousness still cleaving as to think there must be something of a preparation necessary in order to recommend the soul to God and His Christ — what a burden! The toil of ploughing the rock — of counting the sands — of measuring the mighty waters — of working in the fire, the fire burning our work as soon and as long as we do! 3. But it applies, too, to the established believer, who frequently in his pilgrimage acknowledges himself and feels himself a burdened man. 4. The constant conflict — "putting off the old man," "putting on the new man"; self-crucifixion, mortification of self, self-denial. 5. There is the burden of a burdened conscience; when a man sees so much in his sin as not to see enough in Christ to raise him above it. 6. The heavy weight of afflictions, accompanied as they often are with great and sore temptations. 7. Their very bodies are a burden to them. 8. The constant service of the Lord has a burden in it. "The burden and heat of the day." 9. There is a burden that we are but little prone to look into as we ought to do, and that is — the burdens of others. For we are to bear their burdens. II. THE LORD'S CONDUCT TOWARD THEM. Infinite power is required to control the movements of these burdened ones; so many thousands as He has. But the great truth that it unfolds is His infinite tenderness. He does not drive — He leads. He does not merely lead, but "gently leads." Who can unfold thee wondrous tenderness, patience, forbearance, compassion, and love with which He has led each one of us! How doth He wait on His burdened ones! How doth He wait for them! How doth He encourage them! Sometimes He encourages His burdened ones directly. By His Word. How oftentimes do they find their hearts cheered, led onward by a word of promise! He waiteth on them. He waiteth for them. And He suffereth no one to harm them. III. WHITHER DOES HE LEAD THEM? 1. The first object that our Lord has in His leading of His burdened ones, is to lead them out of their own pasture. His great object is to lead them out of the creature and out of themselves. "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." 2. Whither, then, does He lead them? Into deeper discoveries of Divine truth. How little know we of a truth till we have had experience of that truth! 3. Then cometh more close communion with God. 4. And now, it may be, He leads them into deeper afflictions than they have ever known. Oh! what a blessedness to have such a Shepherd for such poor burdened souls! Remember, His great end in leading is holiness. (J. H. Evans, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. |
    |