The Eastern shepherd does not drive his sheep. He depends not upon force or fear; but going before, he calls them. They know his voice, and obey the call. So does the Saviour-Shepherd with His sheep.... Through the prophet, Jesus declares, ... “Therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” He compels none to follow Him....
It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward, that leads the disciples of Christ to follow Him. They behold the Saviour’s matchless love, revealed throughout His pilgrimage on earth, from the manger of Bethlehem to Calvary’s cross, and the sight of Him attracts, it softens and subdues the soul. Love awakens in the heart of the beholders. They hear His voice, and they follow Him....
The path may be steep and rugged, but Jesus has traveled that way; His feet have pressed down the cruel thorns, to make the pathway easier for us. Every burden that we are called to bear, He himself has borne.
Though now He has ascended to the presence of God, and shares the throne of the universe, Jesus has lost none of His compassionate nature. Today the same tender, sympathizing heart is open to all the woes of humanity. Today the hand that was pierced is reached forth to bless more abundantly His people that are in the world.... The Saviour would have passed through the agony of Calvary, that one might be saved in His kingdom. He will never abandon one for whom He has died. Unless His followers choose to leave Him, He will hold them fast.—The Desire of Ages, 480. WGD 46
“Shall not His excellency make you afraid? And His dread fall upon you?” “Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are!” “Is there any number of His armies? And upon whom doth not His light arise?” “Great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend. For He saith to the snow, Fall thou on the earth; Likewise to the shower of rain, And to the showers of His mighty rain. He sealeth up the hand of every man, That all men whom He hath made may know it.... He spreadeth abroad the cloud of His lightning: And it is turned round about by His guidance, That they may do whatsoever He commandeth them Upon the face of the habitable world; Whether it be for correction, or for His land, Or for loving-kindness, that He cause it to come. “Hearken unto this:... Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. Dost thou know how God layeth His charge upon them, And causeth the lightning of His cloud to shine? Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?... Canst thou with Him spread out the sky, Which is strong as a molten mirror? Teach us what we shall say unto Him; For we cannot set our speech in order by reason of darkness.... And now men cannot look on the light when it is bright in the skies, “When the wind hath passed, and cleared them. Out of the north cometh golden splendor: God hath upon Him terrible majesty. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find Him out: He is excellent in power; And in justice and plenteous righteousness.... Men do therefore fear Him.” Job 13:11; 22:12; Job 25:3; 37:5-24, A.R.V., margin. MH 434-435
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. Hosea 11:4, KJV