A Bruised Reed He Will
Not Break
Reeds
belong to the Poaceae (grass) family of plants. They grow along the muddy banks
of streams or on the sandbars of marshes and wetlands. The stalks are generally
tall with long, narrow leaves growing in needle-like patterns. With hollow
stems and healthy root systems, they can spread in dense, extensive stands.
Flowers bloom in brush-like panicles that sway and shimmy in the sunlight and
breezes, seemingly in a dance that is a delight to behold in the wilderness.
Our Lord Jesus Christ once asked the Jews, “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by
the wind?” (Luke 7:24) Yet the stems of reeds are thin and fragile, and cannot
be used as canes for support. Once broken, they lose their appeal. The prophet
Isaiah described people as bruised reeds that no longer have value and are
ignored, but Jesus Christ, the righteous servant chosen by God, is full of
compassion and love for us. “A bruised reed He will not break.” (Isaiah 42:3)
The
Son of God came to earth to preach the Gospel to the poor, so that those
ransomed by sin could be set free, the blind could see, sickness could be
healed, demons could be driven away, the oppressed could have freedom, and all
who are in sorrow could be comforted. He cared and felt for those whose bodies
and souls were oppressed and wounded. The eight miracles specifically recorded
by John illuminate the great “unremitting” love that Jesus Christ has for us.
1. The
first miracle Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee was to turn six stone jars of
water into good wine, so that the joy of the wedding feast would not be
interrupted, and people were amazed that the wine served later was better than
the wine served before (John 2:1-11).
2. In
Capernaum, He sympathized with the anxiety of a father concerned for his
offspring, and healed the gravely ill son of a royal official, so that a person
whose life would soon be terminated could receive new life (John 4:46-54).
3. At
the Bethesda pool near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, on a Sabbath Day, the Lord
called on the man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years because of sin
to get up and walk, giving him another chance to rebuild his long interrupted
relationships with his family and friends (John 5:2-9).
4. Jesus
Christ could not bear to see those who had come from many places to hear Him
preach suffer hunger in the wilderness, so He used five loaves and two fishes
to feed over five thousand people so that the daily sustenance of those who
seek Him would not be suspended, and to let people know that He is the Bread of
Life that is descended from heaven (John 6:1-14).
5. While
Jesus was alone in the night praying and being close to God, He did not forget
that His disciples were in the strong wind and rough seas struggling with the
oars. So He walked to their boat on the water, and when He went aboard, the
boat immediately reached where they were heading. The appearance of the Lord
ends the fear and struggle of people in adverse situations (John 6:16-21).
6. The
Lord wants people to know that He is the Light of the World. He opened the eyes
of the man who had been blind from birth to the light. Although that person was
thrown out of the synagogue, the Son of God approached and comforted him (John
9:35-38).
7. Jesus
seemed indifferent to Lazarus, the one He loved, being sick to the point of
death. He delayed arriving so as to manifest the greater glory of God. He would
rather bear the misunderstanding of those He loved (Martha and Mary) in order
to act according to God’s time. Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and troubled
to see the tears and helplessness of people brought on by death. He ordered
Lazarus to rise from the dead, ending the dominion of death over man, so that
the bruised reed not only does not break, but has life restored (John
11:41-44).
8. Peter
and seven other disciples were bewildered about the future. Harboring feelings
of remorse and shame, they went back to their old vocation, yet did not catch
anything. But the Lord still had patience with these disciples who had
abandoned Him. He personally prepared a fire of burning coals and breakfast for
them, and awakened their determination to following Him through the miracle of
the 153 big fishes (John 21:4-14). The Lord clearly revealed His great “unremitting”
love for those who follow Him.
“Give
thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever….Let them give
thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men.”
(Psalm 107:1, 8)
By: Daniel To