Bruised Reed, Smoldering Wick
The Gentleness of Christ
Now mortally opposed by the Pharisees, Jesus could have fought His case (and won) but He instead withdrew to the quiet places, followed by the hungry and hurting masses.
The Bruised Reed
Useless, worthless, and pointless, the bruised reed is only fit to be discarded...
Until Christ enters in and restores what everyone else rejects, that is.
The Smoldering Wick
Exhausted, noxious, and darkened, the smoldering wick is only fit to be snuffed out...
Until the Master enters in and breathes life once again to the embers, and fills the empty reserve with oil, that is.
Taking it Home
Are you the bruised reed? The smoldering wick? Has the world rejected you? Tried to snuff you out?
Turn to the one who will never reject you, the one who restores you completely.
— or —
Is there a bruised reed you have rejected? Have you taken pleasure in extinguishing the last ember of one who has slid back?
Learn from the Master - see how gentle and caring He is with lost causes! Be like Him.
Let the Music Play in Us
Praise God, the God of the bruised reeds and the smoldering wicks! The ultimate victory belongs to Him and His own.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
(2 Peter 3:9)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Behold, My Servant
14 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. 15 But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. 16 Yet He warned them not to make Him known, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
18 “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory; 21 And in His name Gentiles will trust.”
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