By Michael Yong

Matthew 12:20-21, ESV
“A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smouldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Jesus was aware of the threat to His life from the religious leaders (Matthew 12:14-15). As it was not time for Him to die yet, He withdrew. However, it did not stop Him from works of mercy, healing all who came to Him, including the vulnerable, fragile as “a bruised reed” and “a smouldering wick.”

Reeds were useful for making flutes, measuring rods and pens, among other things. But they were flimsy and delicate. As they were plentiful and cheap, imperfect ones were discarded without second thought. The same went for smouldering wicks – they did not give good light and produced smoke.
Replacing them costs very little.

Making bruised reeds and smouldering wicks useful require time, patience and willingness.

In the same way, it is easy to dismiss the vulnerable. Like the disciples did with the children; but Jesus welcomed them (Matthew 19:13-14). Jesus went out of the way to help those whom society view as imperfect. He willingly attended to the weak, to those easily marginalised by others. For “a bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not quench.” In so doing, Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s chosen Servant who is the promised Messiah (Isaiah 42:1-3, as quoted in Matthew 12:17-21).

On another occasion, Jesus was criticised for dining with those ostracised by the religious leaders. But He told them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus’ heart reaches out to the vulnerable.

In reaching out to the fragile and the weak, Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s words of bringing justice to victory. In other words, He brings hope to peoples of all nations and all kinds.

As SYFC extends our hand to the marginalised among youths and preteens, we want to be like Jesus, having a heartfor the vulnerable.