Deliverance for the Bruised Reeds

Isaiah 42
The Servant of the LORD
¹ “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
² He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
³ A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
⁴ he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

⁵ This is what God the LORD says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
⁶ “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
⁷ to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

⁸ “I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
⁹ See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”

Yesterday, I referred to the scripture where we are able to rejoice in our suffering.  Yet this does not mean we rejoice in suffering in general or the suffering of others.  We rejoice in our suffering because of what can result from it through God’s strengthening. 

And while we can rejoice in our suffering, still we see in this scripture that God is one who has come to deliever those who have suffered.  Isaiah speaks of the servant who will bring justice.  This servant will not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick.  And so maybe there are times we feel like a bruise reed (just waiting to fall apart)… or smoldering wick (feeling like in all the pain we will burn out and fade away).  Yet, it is at this very time when we realize our deepest need and are thus open to the ways the Lord can save us.  This servant of the Lord comes to open our eyes, free us from captivity and release us from darkness. 

In Matthew chapter 12 .. as Jesus healed the sick this passage from Isaiah is referred to … to show that Jesus was the one who would be the servant who brings justice and deliverance to the helpless and needy.  And in Luke chapter 4, Jesus himself reads this passage from Isaiah and states he is the one who fulfills this promise.  

So Jesus not only give us strength in the time of suffering.  Jesus also comes to break the bonds of oppression and deliver us with his justice.  Jesus comes for those who are the bruised reed and the  smoldering wick to bring us  the ultimate hope. 

As his people it also means that we are called to relieve suffering…  To speak justice ….and to care for those who are bruised reeds. 

Prayer

O Lord who comes to set us free.  Bring your justice.  We thank you that you are one who does not come to break those who are wounded.  No you are the one who sets free the capticves.  We pray that your justice would reign.  We pray for those who are hurting.  Open our eyes to their needs that we might show them your love.  And when we are the ones who are hurting may we lean on you to save us. 

 In the of the righteous servant Our Lord Jesus Christ we pray.

Amen