But this morning we’re not going to study Psalm 23:1, the most beautiful Sentence in all the Bible about Jesus being our Shepherd!

Nor are we going to view Jesus as the GOOD Shepherd (John 10:11) or the GREAT Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20) or even the CHIEF Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)!

We are going (today) to look at Isaiah’s Portrait of Jesus as Shepherd. Here it is: “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.” Isaiah 40:11

That first verb, “feed,” is spelled “raah” in Hebrew. It means to pasture, to tend, to guard, as well as to graze, to feed!

I am already glad that through the Blood of Jesus I am part of that “flock!” Even if at times it seems to be a “little flock.” (Luke 12:32)

And “gathering” His lambs … essentially “assembling” them … reminds one of the Church Jesus has founded and is building! (Matthew 16:18 and Hebrews 10:25)

But oh, it gets sweeter! Jesus and His lambs … “He carries them in his bosom.” In the enclosure of those Mighty Arms, His Everlasting Arms! (Deuteronomy 33:27)

He’s a “gentle” Leader, too, our Lord is! The verb here, “nahal,” and means “to lead with care, to lead giving appropriate rest time,” and even “to carry” once in the Old Testament.

Looks like also … special care for those who are “with young!” Producing offspring! Helping grow the flock! The words “with young” are derived from a verb meaning “to suckle, to nurse!” I wonder if “soul winners” are in His Mind here? Or those who nurture young believers? Edify them, help them grow in the Lord?

Anyway … a beautiful verse!

“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.”

What a Shepherd!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Thank you Isaiah for adding to the Portrait!

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