Go! And Follow the Shepherd Who Carries You
Isaiah 40:11 (NLT): “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.”
Introduction – The Shepherd We All Need
There is something deeply moving about Isaiah 40:11. It paints a picture of the Lord not as a distant ruler, not as a harsh master, but as a tender, loving Shepherd. And this Shepherd is no ordinary man—this is the eternal God, revealed to us fully in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.
When life feels overwhelming, when our sins weigh heavy, when we stumble under the pressures of this world, Isaiah reminds us: the Shepherd of our souls feeds us, carries us, and leads us.
The call of today’s message is simple yet profound: Go! And Follow the Shepherd Who Carries You. Because unless you are carried by Him, you will fall. Unless you are fed by Him, you will starve. Unless you are led by Him, you will wander into destruction.
Let’s unpack this together.
Point 1 – The Shepherd Who Feeds His Flock
Isaiah begins: “He will feed his flock like a shepherd.”
The Hebrew word used here for “feed” is ra‘ah, which carries the meaning of tending, nourishing, and caring for. A shepherd does not just throw food before his flock—he ensures they eat, grow strong, and are sustained.
John 6:35 (NLT): “Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”
Jesus is not only the Shepherd—He is the very bread that feeds the sheep. He nourishes our souls with His Word and with His presence.
In ancient Israel, shepherds were often young, overlooked, and despised, yet they had the vital responsibility of ensuring the survival of the flock. To “feed the flock” meant leading them to safe pastures, protecting them from poisonous plants, and defending them from wolves. In the same way, Christ leads us to truth and protects us from lies.
We live in an age of spiritual junk food—self-help philosophies, shallow entertainment, and false gospels. But only Christ truly satisfies. Friend, if your soul feels empty, it is because you need the nourishment only Jesus gives.
Max Lucado once wrote: “If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent a Saviour.”
Yes, our souls need more than bread and water. They need Jesus.
Point 2 – The Shepherd Who Carries the Weak
Isaiah continues: “He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.”
The Hebrew for “carry” is nasa’, meaning to lift up, bear, or even to forgive. This is the same word often used for “carrying away sins.” The Shepherd not only carries the lamb physically, but symbolically, He carries away the guilt and burden of sin.
Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT): “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’”
A shepherd often carried a lamb when it was too weak, too small, or too injured to keep up with the flock. Without the shepherd’s strength, the lamb would perish. In the same way, we cannot save ourselves. We must be carried by Christ.
Maybe today you feel too weak to go on. Too broken. Too sinful. Too far gone. The Shepherd does not say, “Get strong enough, and then I will carry you.” He says, “Come as you are. I will lift you and hold you close.”
Charles Stanley once said: “Our heavenly Father understands our weakness and our struggles; and He will never give up on us. He will never stop helping us.”
And isn’t that exactly what Isaiah shows? The Shepherd doesn’t just tolerate us—He carries us close to His heart.
A missionary once shared the story of a boy who carried his injured brother for miles. When someone asked if the brother was too heavy, the boy replied: “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.” Friend, to Jesus, you are never too heavy to carry.
Point 3 – The Shepherd Who Leads with Gentleness
Isaiah concludes: “He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.”
The Hebrew word for “lead” is nahal, which means to guide, to bring to a restful place. Notice the Shepherd is not harsh or forceful. He leads with gentleness, aware of the weakest among the flock.
John 10:11 (NLT): “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”
Christ’s leadership is not domineering. It is sacrificial. He laid down His life to lead us out of sin and death into eternal life.
Shepherds in Israel often walked ahead of the flock. They did not drive the sheep with whips—they called them by name. The sheep followed because they recognised the shepherd’s voice.
In our culture, leadership often means power and control. But the way of Christ is servanthood. To follow Jesus is to submit to His gentle yet firm leadership, trusting His direction even when we don’t understand the path.
Tim Keller observed: “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
That’s the kind of Shepherd we follow—gentle with our weakness, yet strong enough to guide us home.
Imagine a mother with a pram, walking slower so her little one can keep up. She adjusts her pace to match the child’s needs. That’s how our Shepherd leads—always aware of our limits, never pushing us beyond what we can bear.
The Gospel Presentation – The Shepherd Who Saves
The ultimate fulfilment of Isaiah 40:11 is found in Jesus Christ, who said in John 10:27–28 (NLT): “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
Here is the Good News:
We are all wandering sheep (Isaiah 53:6).
Christ came as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:11).
On the cross, He bore our sin and shame, died in our place, and rose again victorious.
By repentance and faith in Him, we are forgiven, carried, and given eternal life.
Call to Action:
The call is clear:
Go! And Follow the Shepherd Who Carries You.
Stop feeding on empty promises of this world—feed on Christ.
Stop carrying your burdens alone—let Him lift you close to His heart.
Stop resisting His leadership—submit to His gentle guiding voice.
If you already know Christ, live as His sheep—trust His provision, rest in His care, and follow His lead. If you do not yet know Christ, today is the day to surrender. Repent of your sins. Trust in Jesus as your Saviour and Lord.
Invitation to Salvation:
Friend, the Shepherd is calling your name today. He knows you. He loves you. He died for you. Will you turn from sin and trust Him? Will you let Him carry you close to His heart?
Pray with me:
“Lord Jesus, I admit I am a sinner. I cannot save myself. But I believe You are the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for me. Forgive me. Carry me. Lead me. I surrender to You as my Saviour and Lord. Amen.”
Benediction:
As you go into this week, may you know the Shepherd’s voice, feel His arms carrying you, and trust His gentle leading. Go and follow the Shepherd who carries you—because in His care, you will never be lost.
