TOKONAKI SANUALI 27, 2024
HE CAME FOR BRUISED REEDS
NA‘A NE HOKO MAI KI HE NGAAHI KOFE FOAA
"A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice." ISAIAH 42:3
‘AISEA 42:3
Ko e kofe kuo foa ‘e ‘ikai te ne laiki, pea ko e vavae ‘oku kohu ‘e ‘ikai te ne tāmate‘i: te ne fai mo‘oni ‘ene fakahoko ‘a e fakamaau.
The great political leaders of ancient times relied on might to rule. (Many today still do.) Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, was described as trampling people into oblivion and treading on them as a potter might tread on clay (see Isaiah 41:25). Yet at the same time Isaiah prophesied of the Servant to come - one who would be in direct contrast with the rulers of the day.
Jesus, the Servant, is gentle, tender, and kind. Those whom others are tempted to reject and discard He is willing and able to use. What an encouraging word! In the picture of a bruised reed, we see the significance of Jesus' tenderness towards us. You can't lean on a bruised reed, and neither can you make music with it. Yet Jesus picks up those whom others have cast aside and makes a beautiful melody in and through their lives. Today, you may find yourself feeling horribly downtrodden, damaged by what others have done to you or injured by past mistakes. Perhaps you've been tempted to believe that you're broken and useless. But there is glorious news for you: the Servant picks up bruised reeds, and He does so with care.
Jesus also makes use of smoldering wicks. He doesn't snuff them out; rather, He takes the flickering stump and He makes it a shining light. Maybe you've been led to believe that your best days are behind you; you're a sputtering old candle, a faint and dying flame. If you haven't got it figured out by now, you tell yourself, there's probably no hope for you at all. But once again there is good news: smoldering wicks find hope in this Servant, who has come to rekindle us.
Jesus is phenomenally interested in the no-names - the bruised reeds, the smoldering wicks. He redeems and uses them to bring light to the world and praise to His name. In truth, one way or another we are all bruised reeds and faintly burning wicks. Are we willing to recognize our humble situation so that we can know the gentleness and kindness of the Servant? After all…
He'll never quench the smoking flax,
But raise it to a flame;
The bruised reed He never breaks,
Nor scorns the meanest name.
Reflective Questions: LUKE 7:11-17
How is God calling me to think differently?
How is God reordering my affections - what I love?
What is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?
Fakalaulauloto mo e fehu‘i : LUKE 7:11-17
Ko e ha e founga ‘oku ui mai ai ‘a e ‘Otua ke liliu ‘eku fakakaukau?
Ko e ha ‘a e founga ‘oku fai tu’utu’uni mai ai ‘a e ‘Otua ki hoku ngaahi manako - ngaahi me’a ‘oku ou ‘ofa ai?
Ko e ha ‘a e me’a ‘oku ui mai ai ‘a e ‘Otua ke u fai ‘i he’eku fononga’i ‘a e ‘aho ni?
Bible Through The Year: Isaiah 17-19; Mark 5:1-20
No comments:
Post a Comment