Letters From Grandpa #100

LETTERS FROM GRANDPA

• 100

Dearest Grandchild,

Today’s letter will focus on one of my favorite Scriptures. It was first written by Isaiah, and later quoted by Matthew to explain the ministry of Jesus.

"But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who he was. 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 leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.’" (Matt 12:14-21)

While there are MANY profound truths in this passage, let me list only a few.

Jesus was not going to be in the streets leading a mob of rabble rousers. The ministry of Jesus would not foment a political revolution.

Jesus loved everyone. Even those whom society had discarded.

Reeds are plentiful and are found all over the world. The poorest peasant can have all the reeds they want. They are often used to make baskets, matts, and other useful things. A "bruised reed" is of such little value that even poor people would toss it on the fire and get another.

Jesus, however, would not break the "bruised reed". Jesus values everyone, even those discarded by society.

People in those days lighted their homes with primitive lamps. These lamps were usually something like a saucer of olive oil with a wick lighted to provide light. When the olive oil was about gone, the wick would smolder and produce no light. The smoldering wick had no purpose and most would moisten their fingers and snuff out the tiny spark that remained.

Jesus would not snuff out the smoldering wick, but would replace the oil and fan the spark into a flame.

NO WONDER THE NATIONS PUT THEIR HOPE IN JESUS!