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Devotional For the Week 11th October 2004

The Bruised Reed & Smoldering Wick
Scripture: Matthew 12:15-21

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” (Matthew 12:20)

Today, even in our world of technology and sophistication, there are many among us who are “broken reeds and smoldering wicks.” Who are they?

Bruised reeds and smoldering wicks are metaphors used to represent people whose lives are broken and worn out, ready to be discarded and replaced. Because they can no longer “make music” (reed) or “give light” (wick), we consider them to be unproductive and useless. Society casts off the weak and the helpless, the suffering and the burdensome.

The nature of sinful man is to destroy, but the nature of the holy God is to restore. The Lord will not break off or put out even the least of those who come to him, and He gives dire warning to those who would hinder this work. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble,” Jesus said, “it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drown in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)

In the hands of the Saviour, the bruised reed will not discarded but restored, and the smoldering wick will not put out but rekindled. Listen to the invitation of Jesus:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on Religion?

Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.
I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

I will search for my lost ones who strayed away,
and I will bring them safely home again.
I will bind up the injured and strengthened the weak.
But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful.
I will feed them, yes – feed them justice.

Ezekiel 34:16 (Living Bible Translation)

"The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

Notice, however, Jesus did not speak tenderly to everybody. The tone of the Lord is very different toward the unrepentant. There are a lot of people today who feel just as miserable as a bruised reed and a smoldering wick but who have no intention of forsaking their sin. For example, when Jesus told the rich young man, "Sell what you possess and give to the poor," the man turned away sorrowful (Matthew 19:22). He was like a bruised reed, but he would not submit to Jesus' command. Jesus responded, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven" (v.23).

Reflection:
Beloved, if you are a feeling bruised or snuffed out, come to Jesus today, for He will bring healing and comfort for the poor in spirit, who humble themselves and cry out for mercy and turn from their sin. For the rest of us, let us all be peace-makers of God and bring the ministry of love and reconciliation to those who are broken and losing their light.

- Rev Vincent Goh

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