Devotional: The Tenderness of Jesus’ Care

[I have enjoyed the Morning and Evening devotionals of the late 1800’s Particular Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, but find them a bit archaic in presentation. So I have re-written them in more modern fashion for modern ears.]

¹⁰ See, the Sovereign Yahweh comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. ¹¹ He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:10,11)

Who is the one Isaiah speaks such gracious words about? He is the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus. Why does he carry the lambs in his arms and close to his heart? Because he has a tender heart. Any weakness he sees at once melts his heart. The sighs, the ignorance, and the feebleness of the little one of his flock draw forth his compassion. It is the very nature of his office as faithful High Priest that moves him to consider the weak. After all, he purchased them with his own blood. They are the precious property he must and will care for since they cost him so dear. He takes responsibility for each lamb. He has bound himself by covenant not to lose one. They are all a part of his glory and reward.

But how are we to understand that “He will carry them”? Sometimes he carries them by not permitting them to endure too much trial, dealing tenderly with them. Often they are carried by being filled with an unusual degree of love that enables them to bear up and stand fast. Though their knowledge may not be deep, there is a great sweetness in what they do know. Frequently he carries them by giving them a very simple faith, which takes His promises just as they stand, and believingly runs with every trouble straight to Jesus. This simplicity of faith gives them an unusual degree of confidence, which carries them above the world.

“He carries the lambs close to his heart.” Here is his boundless affection for us. Would he put them near his heart if he did not love them so much? Here is tender nearness. So near are they that they could not possibly be nearer. Here is holy familiarity. There is precious communication between Christ and his weak ones. Here is perfect safety. Who can hurt the one near his heart? They must hurt the Shepherd first. Here is perfect rest and the sweetest comfort, near his heart. We are surely not sensitive enough to the infinite tenderness of Jesus.