Isaiah 40:10-11, “Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

These verses are rather jarring placed right next to each other. Kind of like if you wear a striped shirt and a striped tie! It just doesn’t jive! Verse 10 speaks of Christ as  the Lord of might coming to bring judgment, verse 11 speaks of a shepherd who gently tends his flock. But the two are one. After all, a Shepherd who tends his flock and turns toward them a face of gentle love, must also of necessity turn a face of anger and vengeance on any that would harm them. They say don’t get between a mama bear and her cubs. She’ll tear you apart! So also Christ who comes to gently care for his sheep will tear to pieces any that seek their harm. He has come to do battle with your enemies. Be careful therefore not to make yourself the enemy of Christ’s sheep – not by wanton living, not by preaching false doctrine, repent then and find comfort in the sheepfold. Look on the face of your Shepherd, the face of a child, the face scarred and covered with blood, the face shining in resurrected glory. The face of a savior, the face of a judge.

In Christ