Our Gentile Savior

“A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.” (Isa 42:3 AV)

Written to Israel who will survive the tribulation, this promise encourages those who have gone through the wringer that Jesus understands and will not ask them to endure any more trouble.  When He returns, He will be sensitive to those who are hurting because they trusted in His grace.  A bruised reed is a plant that suffered an injury of some kind.  It still has the potential to grow and flourish.  Like our little hydrangea bush outside.  Looking at it this spring, I didn’t think it has a prayer.  The exposed stems were not exhibiting any life.  I didn’t think this little plant was going to bounce back from our winter.  But, I left it alone.  We did not trim off the excess that seemed to have no growth until new growth occurred.  Once life was again the wish of this little plant, then we trimmed off the dead branches.  No sense in hurting that little plant until we knew for sure it was going to grow.  A ‘smoking flax’ is a smoldering candlewick, yet still has heat to reignite.  Like a candle that is at the bottom of its wax, this wick still has life in it.  Jesus is so compassionate that He will not extinguish flame or life if there is still hope that it can be revived.  He will be gentile to those who have lost strength.  He will nurture those who still desire to walk with Him.  He will seek a way of protection for those who are troubled amid His judgment on those who have rejected Him.

Over the years, as both a father and a pastor, I have had to privilege to help people overcome situations in which they feel beat up and empty.  Whether it was sin that caused it, persecution from those who hate God, or trials of faith; how one approaches it is critical.  Most of the time, the one seeking comfort and encouragement does not need to be treated bluntly or harshly.  They are already beaten up.  I have seen parents go absolutely bonkers on their disobedient or discouraged child.  That child at first becomes extremely humbled.  But if done often enough, that child becomes hardened.  When I coached Little League baseball as a pitching coach, I had to deal with one father who was that way.  His little son was actually a very good pitcher.  He was a sidearm pitcher and I was trying to coach him out of that.  Too much torque on that underdeveloped arm could cause permanent damage.  One of the ways which you care for someone who pitches this way is to keep a low pitch count.  It was my job to watch the pitcher for signs of fatigue.  When they begin to lose even the slightest command, it is time to consider pulling them.  On one such outing, this young man pitched three really good innings.  However, in the fourth, he began to falter.  After striking a batter, I went to the mound.  Asking how he felt, he looked over at his father and said that he was fine.  I encouraged him and let him continue.  The next batter walked.  I went out again.  Left him in for one more batter who hit a single.  Then I pulled him.  The father absolutely unloaded on me first.  I ignored him.  I cared more for his ten-year-old son than he did.  Then, dad went to the dugout and absolutely gave it to his son for being weak and unable to pitch a whole game.  What a shmuck!  That kid did really well for three innings.  It wasn’t like we were playing the World Series and we were out of pitchers.  This young man felt horrible that he allowed a run or two and had to be pulled before the game was completed.  He didn’t need his father to beat up on him because he had unrealistic expectations. 

Jesus understands just what it is like to be human.  He knows by intuition and by experience.  Jesus knows our frame!  He knows how much we can take.  He knows our limits.  Individually, He knows what each one of us can endure.  He knows this and considers this.  Isaiah gives us a picture of a compassionate Savior who will not kick us when we are down.  He will not exact the last drop of spiritual life from our souls when we are discouraged or beaten up.  He will nurture that bruised plant back the health.  He will feed the moldering flame more oil and blow upon the wick so that it might burst back to life.  Jesus is not out to destroy us.  He isn’t even out to seek how much of life He can sap out of us.  When we are down, He will regard our low estate and seek to revive His work amid trouble.  What a compassionate LORD, Savior, and friend we have!