He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead. Isaiah 40:11
SA 40:11{One sees at a glance, by referring to a concordance, the touching fact that our Leader Himself experienced a very different leading. Never once was He gently led. He was led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Matt. 4:1); He was led by men filled with wrath to the brow of the hill, that they might cast Him down headlong (Luke 4:29); He was led away to Annas, led away to Caiaphas (John 18:13, Matt. 26:57); led into the council of the elders and chief priests and scribes (Luke 22:66); led to Pontius Pilate (Matt. 27:2), and into the hall of judgment (John 18:28). And then He, our Lord Jesus Christ, was led as a sheep to the slaughter (Acts 8:32); led away to be crucified! (John 19:16). Verily, "His way was much rougher and darker than mine." That is how Jesus was led. But as for His people, He "guided them in the wilderness like a flock. And He led them on safely, so that they feared not" (Psa. 78:52-53).
Lord Jesus, Thou halt trodden once for all
The Via Dolorosa—and for us!
No artist-power or minstrel-gift may tell
The cost to Thee of each unfaltering step,
Where love that passeth knowledge led Thee on,
Faithful and true to God, and true to us.
Thy ways are ways of pleasantness, and all
Thy paths are peace; and that the path of him
Who wears Thy perfect robe of righteousness,
Is as the light that shineth more and more
Unto the perfect day. And Thou hast given
An olden promise, rarely quoted now,
Because it is too bright for our weak faith:
“If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend
Days in prosperity, and they shall spend
Their years in pleasures." All because Thy days
Were full of sorrow, and Thy lonely years
Were passed in grief's acquaintance—all for us!