BRUISED REEDS AND SMOLDERING WICKS

BRUISED REEDS AND SMOLDERING WICKS

Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath and a man was there with a withered hand. Looking for a reason to condemn Jesus, they asked “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Jesus reminded them that they would rescue a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath and that a man is more valuable than a sheep. Jesus continued: “Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Then he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.’” (Matt. 12:12-14)

“Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.” (Matt. 12:15-21)

Many of the Jews were looking for a political Messiah. They expected the Messiah to stir up the people, and revolt against Rome. Isaiah predicted a totally different kind of Messiah. The true Messiah would not quarrel and stir up a mob in the streets. The true Messiah would not fight with Rome but would devote himself to what the world would consider a waste of time. He would not break a bruised reed, or snuff out a smoldering wick! He would also bring justice through to victory and the gentiles would put their hope in him. The message of the true Messiah was for all the world! God would delight in him, put his Spirit on him, and he would proclaim justice to the Gentiles!

Reeds are so plentiful that they have almost no value. Poor people used reeds to make baskets, matts, and roofs for their houses. A bruised reed is so worthless that most people would throw it on the fire and get another one. Jesus didn’t do that! Jesus would bind up the bruised reed and give it a chance to heal.

Ancient people had lamps that gave light like a candle. They consisted of a small vessel for oil and a wick to be lighted. When the oil ran out the wick would smolder and give no light. In fact, the smoldering wick may have been an aggravation as it emitted no light but only a wisp of smoke. Most people would moisten their fingers and snuff out the wick. Jesus didn’t do that. Jesus would replenish the oil and help the lamp to burn brightly again.

The application of these illustrations, of course, involves people. Jesus would devote himself to people that were considered to have no value and who may have even been an aggravation.

YOUNG PEOPLE

Let’s start with young people. Jesus loved young people but many do not. The World Health Organization reports that there are 73,000,000 abortions every year. Many pagan religions also kill their children in sacrifice to their pagan gods. The Canaanites did this and so Moses warned the people of God: “You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in

the fire as sacrifices to their gods.” (Deut. 12:31). Sadly, some of God’s people also adopted the horrible practice of child sacrifice. Jeremiah wrote: “For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal— something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind.” (Jer. 19:4-5)

Even the disciples of Jesus didn’t place a proper value on babies. “People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Lk. 18:15-17)

Even more serious: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matt. 18:1-6)

God is not pleased with people who do not love little children! Causing these little ones to stumble is a fatal mistake! It would be better for that person to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Yes! Like a bruised reed little babies are fragile. They are totally incapable of caring for themselves or anyone else. The slightest injury can cause them permanent damage. They require constant attention and love. They perform no useful service to society. Grown people are also sometimes like a bruised reed and Jesus devoted himself to keep them from breaking.

On Judgment Day “The King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matt. 25:34-40)

OLD PEOPLE

Old people, like little babies, also require a lot of attention. They too are often incapable of taking care of themselves or anyone else. They too often are not able to perform any useful service to society. Just as many want to abort babies to avoid caring for them, many also want to “euthanize” old people to avoid having to take care of them. The word “euthanasia” is a compound of two different

Greek words. “Eu” means “well” and “thanatos” means death. When medical doctors want to kill somebody they don’t call it “murder,” they call it “euthanasia.” Calling murder a “good death”, of course, doesn’t make it good.

A growing number of elderly people are so depressed that they are seeking medical assistance to help them commit suicide. Many doctors are willing to help them die for a fee. “The main difference between euthanasia and assisted suicide is who performs the final, fatal act.” said Richard Huxtable, professor of medical ethics and law at the University of Bristol. Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada and Colombia allow both euthanasia and assisted suicide. The Annals of Palliative Medicine notes: “Assisted dying practices, which include euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS), have expanded significantly around the world over the past 20 years.”

The psalmist said: “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” (Ps. 71:9) Jesus knew that psalm and while he was dying on the cross made arrangements for the apostle John to care for his mother: “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:25-27) Jesus would not be happy if John euthanized his mother! Jesus is not happy when anybody is euthanized!

Please note that John was the only apostle who was there at the cross with Mary his mother. Jesus had four brothers and at least two sisters (Mk. 6:3), and they were not there either! If you wonder why Jesus asked John to care for his mother you must remember that he was the only one who was there.

God loves old people! The Lord arranged for the baby Jesus to be blessed by two old people when his parents took him to the temple. The first was Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was waiting for the consolation of Israel. “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (Lk. 2:26). When Simeon took the baby Jesus into his arms he praised God and said: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29- 32)

“There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Lk. 2:36-38)

These two old people did not meet Jesus by accident. God had orchestrated this meeting! One reason God did this was perhaps to teach us that old people are an integral part of His plan! Old men are not to be rebuked (1 Tim. 5:1) and pure religion is to care for widows and orphans (James 1:27).

LEPERS

Lepers were perhaps the most ostracized people in Jewish society. The law specified “Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.” (Lev. 13:45-46)

Jesus, however, cared for lepers and healed them on a number of occasions:

• “When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Matt. 8:1-4)
• “A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” (Mk. 1:40-44)
• “Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” (Lk. 17:11-19)
• Jesus commanded his apostles: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matt. 10:8)
• Those who have the Spirit of Jesus also care for lepers.
• In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries a leprosy epidemic spread through Europe, and the followers of Jesus built 19,000 leper houses by 1225. Later, many of these houses served as hospitals for victims of the bubonic plague.
• The first leper colony in Nigeria was founded by the Presbyterian church in 1928.
• Brother Kotaya was from the Banjara tribe in India. When he contracted leprosy he was immediately ostracized by his family. His wife also became a leper and they were reduced to begging on the street for bread and water. When they went to the Christian Leper Hospital they were loved and accepted. They received Christ as their Savior and now live in a hut specially built for lepers.
• Sister Martha is a 90 year old widow. When she contracted leprosy she also was ostracized by her family, but accepted by Christians. She says: “Although I am a poor widowed leper with no value in the eyes of the world, I have joy and peace with Jesus, and I am a daughter of God who will live with Him forever!”
• Brother Ganesh was raised in a Hindu family but also ostracized when he became a leper. He
• too became a Christian and he and his wife live in a shed provided for them by Christians. His wife ministers by dressing the wounds of fellow lepers and he is a janitor for their church. He says: “I feel great joy and am deeply grateful to the Lord Jesus Christ that he cares for lepers like me.”
• The Independent Church in India has missionary teams that have reached out to lepers in over 100 colonies with food, clothing, blankets, and medical care. They have provided good drinking water, planted churches, trained Christian leaders, and led thousands to Christ.
• Yes! No one is so sick that Jesus does not love them! Jesus does not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick!

VIOLENT SINNERS

Saul of Tarsus was a violent sinner. His testimony is found three times in the book of Acts (Acts 9:1-31; 22:1-21; 26:1-32). Saul was the chief persecutor of the church. He “began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.” (Acts 8:3). When he was on trial before King Agrippa Saul said: “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.” (Acts 26:9-11)

After Saul was converted to Christ his name was changed to Paul and he wrote more inspired books of the Bible than any other man. In fact, God used him as an example. If a violent sinner like Saul of Tarsus can be saved, anybody can be saved. Paul wrote to Timothy: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Tim. 1:15-16)

Or consider the case of this demon possessed man: “They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.” (Mk. 5:1-5) After Jesus cast the demons out of this man he put on clothes and was in his right mind. In fact, he wanted to follow Jesus. “As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” (Mk. 5:18-20)

For years, Joshua Milton Blahyi, better known as “General Butt Naked,” was one of Liberia's most feared warlords. Blahyi had a reputation for being more brutal than other military leaders. He was a cannibal who preferred to sacrifice babies, because he believed that their death promised the

greatest amount of protection. He went into battle naked, and carried a machete, because. He believed that fighting naked made him invulnerable. In all his battles he was never hit by a bullet. His soldiers would make bets on whether a pregnant woman was carrying a boy or a girl, and then they would slit open her belly to see who was right. Blahyi personally killed over 20,000 people! By the grace of God he was baptized into Christ by an Australian evangelist named Doug Willis. He is now a preacher of the Gospel trying to let Jesus save the people he once sought to destroy!

Yes! No sinner is too violent for Jesus to save. Truly Jesus does not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick!

SEXUAL SINS

The New Testament Scriptures begin with these words: “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David.” (Matt. 1:1) Jesus is called the “Son of David” six times in the gospel of Matthew. David, as you know, is famous for committing adultery with Bathsheba. Yet, David repented of his adultery (Ps. 51) and is remembered as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). The association of Jesus with David is not an accident. God wants us to know that people who repent can be forgiven of sexual sins.

Four women are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus and in each instance we are reminded that God uses sinful people. In fact: “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23) God has to use sinners for that is the only kind of people there are! Here are the women who were ancestors of Jesus:

• Tamar is mentioned in Matt. 1:3. She seduced her father in law and gave birth to twins (Gen. 38:11-30). Interestingly, her twin Perez was the ancestor of Christ, even though his brother Zera came out first and the midwife put a scarlet thread on his wrist to prove it. Tamar and Judah were both sinners for the law stated: “If a man sleeps with his daughter in law, both of them are to be put to death.” (Lev. 20:12)
• The second woman mentioned as an ancestor of Jesus was Rahab the harlot (Matt. 1:3).
• The third woman mentioned as an ancestor of Jesus was a Moabite woman named Ruth (Matt. 1:5). The law forbade a Moabite to enter into the assembly of the Lord even down to the tenth generation (Deut. 23:3).
• The fourth women mentioned as an ancestor of Jesus was the mother of Solomon who had been Uriah’s wife (Matt. 1:6). Her name, as you know, was Bathsheba. Bathsheba may have not been totally innocent in David’s adulterous relationship with her. Please consider:
• Bathsheba was bathing where she could be seen by David (2 Sam. 11:2).
• She bathed close enough to David’s palace so he could see that she was beautiful.
• When she conceived she sent word to David and not her husband (2 Sam. 11:5).
• Even if she seduced David he was still guilty!
• Even if she did not seduce David she was still a sinner who needed to be saved by grace.
• The point is, sexual sins do not keep you from being forgiven or from serving Jesus.
• Jesus does not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick.

Jesus, as you know, invited a Samaritan woman to drink of living water that would quench her thirst forever (John 4:13-14). Jesus made this promise knowing that this woman had been married 5 time and was living with a man to whom she was not married!

When a woman was brought to Jesus who had been caught in the act of adultery, Jesus did not condemn her. He simply told her to “Go now and leave your life of sin” (Jn. 8:11). The law specified that she should be stoned to death (John 8:5; Lev. 20:10). Truly: “The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)

When a sinful woman washed the feet of Jesus with her tears he was criticized for allowing her to do this by Simon the Pharisee. Jesus defended the woman with these words: “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Lk. 7:41-50)

Both Simon and the woman were sinners! The woman was forgiven because of her humility and repentance. Simon the Pharisee could only be saved if he to became humble. Please consider the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector and remember “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself with be exalted.” (Lk. 18:9-14).

Tax collectors and harlots will enter into the kingdom of God before a proud person (Matt. 21:28-32). In the mean while, Jesus will not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick!

WHOSOEVER

The world is filled with sinners and yet Jesus personally invites everyone to come to him. He said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

The “Great Commission is found in all four gospels and the book of Acts. Please note that Jesus made it clear to his apostles that the message of salvation is for everyone, regardless of how sinful they may be.

“Then Jesus came unto them and said: ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matt. 28:18-20)

“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mk. 16:15-16)

“He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Lk. 24:46-49)

“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:21-23)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Here are some quotations from the Bible that make clear that the invitation of Jesus is for “whosoever” wants to be saved! It doesn’t matter how sinful you are, or how many mistakes you have made, “whosoever” wants to can come to Christ and be saved!

• “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matt. 16:25)
• “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:13)
• “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Rom. 10:11)
• “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” (Matt. 20:26- 27).
• “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21)
• “And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.” (Lk. 9:48)
• “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” (I John 2:23)
• “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” (Matt. 7:24)
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
• “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)
• “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14)
• “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26)

COME TO JESUS AND BE SAVED!

Jesus was not only a carpenter’s son (Matt. 13:55), he was himself a carpenter (Mark 6:3). Jesus spent the first thirty years of his life fixing “things” and the rest of his life on earth fixing “people.” “Now when Jesus was about thirty years old he began his ministry” (Luke 3:23) The ministry of Jesus made him a Carpenter of Souls! No matter how weak and worthless the world thinks you are, Jesus will not do you any harm. Isaiah predicted that Jesus “will not falter or be discouraged.” as he ministers to you (Is. 42:4). Remember! “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.”

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” (Rev. 22:17)