PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 12:1-21
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out till he has brought justice through to victory.” (Matthew 12:20)
Jesus withdraws from the religious leaders who want to kill him (12:14).
He is not there to fight the system but to help the weak, weary and oppressed.
He is not quarrelsome, he is gentle; the skittish sheep are drawn to him.
A bruised reed is almost broken, and can easily snap if treated harshly.
A smoldering wick is barely burning, easily snuffed out if not careful.
Jesus kneels for justice, helping and healing those who struggle without hope.
Jesus doed what pleases God, not shouting but showing… living out God’s love.
Our job as Jesus followers is not to quarrel but to pursue justice for the oppressed.
To bring help and healing to the bruised and the smoldering… to bring them hope.
Sadly, in some places this is not how followers of Jesus are experienced.
Some bruised weeds are broken or smoldering wicks snuffed out by judgmentalism.
I sense the Lord calling me to be even more gentle with the struggling.
To bless the bruised and smoldering by gently showing them Jesus’s love!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, quarreling gets us nowhere. Help me to put my faith into action, so that the bruised and smoldering can experience hope in God’s gentle love.