The Redeemer as a Shepherd
J. Johnston. 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. THE REDEEMER UNDER THE ENDEARING CHARACTER OF A SHEPHERD. 1. It is the office of a good shepherd to know his flock. "I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine." He has a tender feeling, a compassionate concern for the meanest and most sickly of His flock. 2. The Good Shepherd defends His flock from every threatening danger. David exposed his own life to defend his flock. Those holy and humble shepherds to whom our blessed Saviour's birth was first notified, kept watch over their flocks by night. Will the Redeemer fall short in His office? No! "Behold, He who keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." 3. The Good Shepherd. gathers His flock, whether they have wandered from the fold, or have been driven away by an enemy, or scattered by storms (Ezekiel 34:12). The Shepherd of Israel will magnify His office in this respect. Christ shall gather the Jews, the people of His ancient Church, into His sacred fold. 4. The Good Shepherd heals His flock, whether languishing under deep disease or smarting wounds. It was charged upon the shepherds of Israel as a high crime that they had not healed the sick, nor bound up that which was broken, nor brought again that which was driven away, nor sought that which was lost. But this could not be objected against our compassionate Redeemer. 5. The Good Shepherd provides green pastures and pure water for His flock. II. WHAT KIND OF A SHEPHERD IS CHRIST? I. He is a great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:10). 2. He is the chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). Other shepherds are mere men, of like passions with ourselves. 3. He is the good Shepherd (John 10:14). 4. He is a Shepherd who has no equal This is obvious in numberless instances. Other shepherds lay down their commission at death. But the Shepherd of Israel by dying conquered death; and carries on His work by His Holy Spirit, with all that power and success which attended His personal ministry on earth. III. THE FLOCK WHICH CHRIST DOTH TEND. 1. It is a little flock (Luke 12:32). Though small and despised in the eyes of a vain world; though poor in spirit, humble and meek in their deportment among men, they are greatly beloved by their God. They are not only little in their own eyes, and in the eyes of a vain world, but little in point of number, compared to a thoughtless multitude. 2. They are in some degree acquainted with their own hearts. 3. They are a peculiar flock, as they are all purchased with blood. 4. They are a chosen flock. 5. They know their Redeemer's voice, and are charmed with it. 6. They follow the blessed Shepherd (John 10:27). (J. Johnston.) 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. WEB: He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.