A bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. Matthew 12:20 NIV
There are so many beautiful verses in the Scriptures that spell out the character of God like love, joy, grace and mercy and forgiveness of sins but Matthew 12:20 got me weak in the knees. I first read it in Isaiah. But when Jesus quoted in the NT, I sat on the ground and wept tears of gratitude for finding meaning in time when I felt my life was worthless. I was tired of pretending I was OKAY. I had a great job and my family and friends but I was empty. I felt like a robot, like the Tinwood Man stuck in the woods in need oil to do his work but no heart.
When God found me I exhaled, not realizing I’ve been holding my breathe. Even when I denied Jesus, somewhere in the depth of my soul the Jesus I learned as a child didn’t break me nor did he smolder what little fire there. (He knew there was fire underneath all that smoke). 😀
I saw the big sky so incredibly blue like the sea. Clouds like white cotton balls playing in the wind overhead. Amazing Grace.
WOW the same Christ who healed a hemorraging woman who touched the hem of His robe and was healed instantly. She has been isolated for twelve years because she was unclean. A man who stoops like a hunchback, his fingerless hand drapes in rags extends toward him pleading, tattered wrap hides all his face except his eyes, and say, “If you want you can heal me.” Jesus touched him and say, “I want to….” and healed him.
Jesus will not crush the weak or extinguish the smallest spark of faith, instead nurturing it until true justice prevails. Christ will not contentiously rebuke and persecute those that are weak in faith, or love, but rather will strengthen and kindle them using His own meekness and gentleness. He will not completely destroy or abandlon people like me but will heal the broken places and restore them.
Try Him and watch him heal your brokeness and bruises with his love and tenderness.
Jesus loves you big time.