Bruised Reed

A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench until He brings forth justice unto victory. Matthew 12:20

Not Breaking a Bruised Reed and Not Quenching a Smoking Flax

Verse 20, a further quotation from Isaiah, says, “A bruised reed He shall not break, and smoking flax He shall not quench, until He brings forth judgment unto victory.” As the One anointed with the Spirit, Christ not only will make no noise in the streets, but He will not break a bruised reed or quench smoking flax. This indicates that while He was being rejected and opposed, He was still full of mercy. The Jews who were opposing Him were like bruised reeds and smoking flax. The Jews used to make flutes or reeds. When a reed was bruised, they broke it. They also made torches with flax to burn oil. When the oil ran out, the flax smoked, and they quenched it. Some of the Lord’s people are like the bruised reed that cannot give a musical sound; others are like the smoking flax that cannot give a shining light. Yet the Lord will not break the bruised ones or quench the smoking ones. Although the Lord was rejected, He was still merciful. Even those who had become bruised reeds He would not break, and those who had become smoking flax He would not quench. Rather, He would still keep open the door of mercy and grace to them all. Among His followers and believers today, many have become bruised reeds that can no longer give a musical song. As a rule, these bruised reeds should be broken and thrown away. But Christ will not do this. Moreover, many of His believers no longer burn as a bright light. As a rule, He should quench them all and cast them away. But He will not do this either. Instead, He is merciful. No matter how much opposition, persecution, and attack, this heavenly King is always merciful. He is a merciful, kingly Savior. You may reject Him today, but He will still be merciful to you. Tomorrow if you say, “Lord Jesus, I repent,” He will deal with you lovingly. What a merciful Savior He is! He will never break a bruised reed or quench smoking flax. Rather, He would wait for you to receive His mercy and grace. (Life-study of Matthew, Ch. 32)

In this pursuit of the ministry, I was so encouraged and enlightened concerning the weaker saints. Especially when it comes to official duty, one tend to overlook the matter that even in official service, the "employees" concerned are still the saints. We are not like any other secular company. Though secular company in registration, the purpose and function is to serve saints, seekers, and sinners. Besides all the serving ones are saints in the church life. Though the function and spiritual maturity of different saints varies, still they are saints and must be treated as such. Often times, I tend to consider taking action on certain unproductive serving ones, I am being reminded again and again that I cannot do so as any secular company would do it. Human resource management cannot really be done without the Lord's leading.

Of late, we have had serving ones who could not function for health reason. At least two of them took months of bed-rest. In this scenario, the humanity of Jesus was exercised to still support them in full as though they had labored as full-timers. Besides, we also have case of a serving one struggling in a habit that hinders his regular service. Many times, I considered "firing" such a one, but every time I was about to execute, something within me and outward circumstances proved me wrong. Often I was in dilemma, swinging like a pendulum, between two opinions. Most of the time I got defeated of my own "management thought." Thank God for the Lord who is operating in me and in my environment.

As we pursued this portion of the Life-study of Matthew, the Lord reminded me again and again of His mercy and grace. Even a bruised reed He would not break, nor a smoking flax he will not quench. Then why should I? Instead, I must encourage the bruised reed and smoking flax to come to the Lord to receive more supply and be useful vessels unto the Lord. This message completely changed my thought and I now leave all the matters of management to the Lord. May the will of the Lord be done in each and every serving one's life. My only responsibility is make sure the Lord is the Head and the Master,  as such He has the final say in everything in the service, of whom I am just a slave in His service.

The door of mercy and grace is open to all the serving ones; even a bruised reed He will not break, nor quench a smoking flax. This is how I must serve and function in dealing with the serving ones. Thank the Lord for such a precious lesson of life.