Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks

 

Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” (Matthew 12:15-21 ESV).

 

Today’s reading has become one of my favorites the longer I love and minister to hurting people. On any given Wednesday, which is the primary day I now work, I will see nine or ten different people, they may be young or old, or merely in between. All of them are in some way “bruised reeds or smoldering wicks.” I have been one of those bruised reeds in my life. Perhaps that is how you see yourself today.

 

I have seen it in the churches I have pastored also. It may have been the gracious, smiling lady sitting in the middle section who was terrified that the medical tests she had the previous week would show that she had cancer. It could have been the father and son sitting expressionless behind her who had argued on the way to church, and both were still angry. Perhaps it was the elderly widower toward the back worried that he would not have money for food that week. Or, a woman singing heartily in the choir who was no longer sure she believed the words she was singing.

 

When I was younger, I thought the world had two kinds of people: normal ones and damaged ones — bruised reeds. Later when I became one of those bruised reeds, a wonderful counselor, formerly a Benedictine monk, taught me that there are no normal people. Our churches are communities of bruised reeds and smoldering wicks. Often there are folks in churches who pretend to “have it all together,” but no one’s life is free of trouble and struggle.

 

Yet Jesus, the Servant, gives us hope! “In this world you will have trouble,” he says, “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Some of my favorite times in church have been those times when I have seen in people’s eyes a longing for the day when Jesus will return and “wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (Revelation 21:4). Lord, come quickly!