The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax

The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax – Mt. 12:18-21

"A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, until he sends forth judgment unto victory." Matthew 12:20

Our Scriptures tell us that as Christian we are set forth under two striking similitudes. He is compared to a "bruised reed;" and "smoking flax."

And of the Lord it is most graciously said, that this "bruised reed" he will not "break," and this "smoking flax" he will not "quench." No more, so far from breaking the one, or quenching the other, he will never leave his gracious work in the soul until he "sends forth judgment unto victory." Jesus has been judged at the cross for our victory. It was His gracious grace that took our judgment and raised us up to be seated in the heavenlies. And that was our victory he won.

This speaks of our Christian character sometimes in weakness and vulnerable. But the Gracious Redeemer Jesus will not “break” nor “quench” the other. Eventually God send forth Jesus to be judged for us that we might receive the victory.

We find that a REED more striking emblem of weakness. That means our lives are depended upon the work of grace upon grace. As a believer we are frail creature and needy. A reed is lowly and humble as Jesus was born and sometimes unknown and unnoticed by others. But yet our life is a life that depends deep down upon the root which gives us life.

What makes a Christian "a bruised reed?" Several things–

1. The HOLY LAW of God. It is true, that usually the law is applied to the conscience in the very first convictions of sin. But it is not always so, or at least not with the same power. When did Paul learn the experience contained in Romans 7:9-11? Was it during the three days at Damascus, or afterwards in the deserts of Arabia? Galatians 1:17 It would seem that his distress of soul at Damascus arose chiefly from his having kicked against the goads of conscience in persecuting the saints. The law bruised Jesus. It bruised the holy Lamb of God; and, by bruising the reed, bruises it into conformity to the suffering Man of Sorrows in the garden and on the cross.

2. AFFLICTION also bruises. His own dear Son was bruised by grief and trouble, for he was a "Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief." yet learned he obedience by the things that he suffered

3. TEMPTATION also sadly bruises the "reed." God is a God that does not “kill us” when we are fallen. He is not angry but He knows that when we are weak and bruise He came to our rescue. Judgment has fallen upon Him and He provides victory after victory for us.

We are living in this world of temptation and it has bruised many strong Christians. Yet if they knew the Grace of God they would overcome it.

Well therefore is the prayer and the precept, "Lead us not into temptation; Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation." Were there in us no sin, we would be like Jesus, when he said, "The Prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me." But these temptations also bruise our own strength, wisdom and righteousness. Did not Job come out of his temptations with his self-righteousness bruised?

4. SATAN, especially, is permitted in God's wonderful providence to bruise the "reed." It was declared in the first promise, that "the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head;" but it was added, that "the serpent should bruise his heel." The very part that trod upon him the serpent was allowed to bruise. And if he was allowed to bruise "the seed of the woman," much more, much more may he bruise us. And bruise us he will to some purpose

How the apostle Paul had a painful experience of this! Satan, we read, buffeted him 2 Cor. 12:7. The word "buffet" means to beat with the fist. Satan's assaults are knock-down blows, not gentle taps. He strikes with the strength and skill of the professional boxer; his blows therefore stun.

An accuser of the brothers – Rev. 12:10-12 Notice he is called not an accuser, but the accuser of our brothers. His main business is to make you aware of your sin – accusing you, and robbing you of the sense of victory that comes by the finished work of the cross of Jesus. The devil knows when you’ve failed, when you’ve made a mistake and he knows how to make you feel guilty about it. Once you are out of victory you can’t pray anything to God. All the while because you make mistakes and you fail.

Satan will bruise you with guilt that keeps him away from God. The devil uses guilt. Guilt tells you, “you’re too weak”. You’ve fallen before and you’ll fall again. You just don’t have what it takes. Why try again? You might as well give up”. But God wants you to overcome him through the blood. The grace of God empowers you over sin, give strength to recover and change your lives. Yes you can change. People and believers can change. Yes, VICTORY IS ON YOUR SIDE!

Are you bruised? Be of good comfort, he calls you. Conceal not your wounds, open all before him and take not Satan's counsel. Go to Christ, although trembling, as the poor woman who said, `If I may but touch his garment' (Matt. 9:21). We shall be healed and have a gracious answer. Go boldly to God in our flesh; he is flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone for this reason, that we might go boldly to him. Never fear to go to God, since we have such a Mediator with him, who is not only our friend but our brother and husband.

Puritians Paperbags – Richard Sibbs