Broken and Smoking
Isaiah 42:3 – A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
This is an example of Jesus’ tender compassionate character. A reed is a delicate plant, yet if it gets injured He will handle it with such care that it will not break. And if flax, which is used to ignite fires, doesn’t light but just smokes He will gently blow on it until the flame ignites.
Many times life events, circumstances, or people hurt us by their actions or words sometimes leaving us feeling shattered and bruised. Yet the Lord in His tender compassion chooses to love us, nurture us, and mend our brokenness back until we’re strong enough to carry on. He makes all things beautiful in His time! (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Jesus desires that we have compassion towards others who are hurting, in need, and broken. He doesn’t want us to be like the men who passed the wounded stranger simply because he was different. Jesus warns against serving with eyeservice as men pleasers (Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:22), but rather serve God from our hearts. The test of a true servant is one who can bend with humility as Christ did.
