Matthew 12:18-21 "Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory; And in His name Gentiles will trust."
Years ago my oldest daughter and I were at a small movie theater, we had already purchased our tickets and we were waiting in the concession line for popcorn and drinks and a woman with 4 children stormed to the front of the counter and demanded to see the manager. If fire could ever leap forth from a person’s eyes this woman would be my candidate for first ever to accomplish this feat. The manager sensing the extreme anger carefully made his way from the back and simply said, “yes, how can I help you?” Immediately the woman launched into why she was so upset, she said that the newspaper stated that the movie started at 2:30 pm, but when I got here I found out it started at 2:15, we’ve already missed 15 minutes. The manager said what paper had this ad? The woman with anger told him what paper it was and how mistakes like that can’t be made and said many other things, all very loudly. It was one of those moments in which you have nothing to do with it, but you’re embarrassed to be there just because you don’t want to even be mistaken for being part of it! The manager began to apologize but before he could even finish she was demanding free tickets, since they already missed the first 15 minutes of the movie and how the kids were going to be so disappointed, this she screamed in different ways for a couple more minutes. None of what she said was kind, it was all loud, belligerent and angry. The manager gave her free tickets and the person that was in front of the concession line (another customer) said to the manager, sorry you had to deal with that. The manager clearly beaten up by what had just occurred meekly said thanks and turned and went back to the back again. I remember looking down at my daughter and saying, “don’t ever act like that.” She simply said, “I wouldn’t want to.”
Did the woman have a case for justice? Sure, the ad in the paper was wrong and I’m sure the kids would have been disappointed having missed the first 15 minutes of the movie and I’m sure the mom was frustrated upon arrival because it is not easy to get kids ready and to make the trek to the movies or any place else for that matter. But is the purpose of justice to destroy? Is justice to be used as a weapon to ensure our own gain and happiness?
Thus far in our “His Place” lifessage series we have seen that God is a God of grace and a God of justice. God is perfect in each and every way and God shows us a stunning picture of how justice and grace intermingle in the person of His Son, Jesus. In Jesus dwelt all the fullness of God. (Colossians 1:19). And the verses that opened this Post Sunday Devotional from Matthew chapter 12 show us how God’s grace and justice work together.
Jesus applies these verses taken from Isaiah chapter 42 to Himself. It declares that Jesus is the One whom God has chosen and goes on to state some facts about Him. A couple of the facts contained within these verses probably seem very strange to us today in 2008. “A bruised reed He will not break and smoking flax He will not quench…” What on earth are those two things? Good question, I’m glad you asked!
In the shepherd’s pipe, there is a reed, if a reed is bruised it gives forth a false note so the player of that pipe takes it out, breaks it and throws it away. In the lamp, if the wick has gone out it emits a nasty odor so it is extinguished and thrown away. Seemingly useless objects are done away with. But it is not so with Jesus. That which others would reject as useless, He seeks to save and restore.
It is evident to the player of the pipe when a reed is bruised because the sound that should be coming forth is just not right. It is evident when flax is not burning properly because it begins to smoke and emit a foul odor. Justice for these two items would be destruction, they are no longer useful. Notice the verse says He will not break or quench. It doesn’t say He is unable to break or quench. But by grace He doesn’t. Justice is vital, we must have justice in order to show others and ourselves that there are areas that we have transgressed, we have sinned, we have erred in our behavior and actions and change must take place. But with no hope of restoration and the potential to change then what use is there in attempting to do what is right in God’s eyes? Jesus wins by patience and approachability. Learn from these characteristics, you will not overpower this world; you will not overpower that friend who will not come to see things as you see them. You will not change someone close to you by using justice as a weapon. You will impact them with your patience, your approachability, and your undying passion to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
This servant of God that is described in the Matthew verses, does not quarrel or cry out, His voice is not heard in the streets. Why? Because He knows that the justice He stands upon will be victorious. Maybe not in the next few hours, but it will be victorious. He has no reason to force something that will be, stand upon it yes, absolutely, force it to come to be, no. There is no reason to yell at the manager for free movie tickets, there is no reason to tell the driver who just cut you off that they are “number one,” there is no reason to belittle your child (or anyone else’s for that matter) for a wrong they have committed, there is no reason to put your spouse through the silent treatment for a wrong that they may have committed, there is no reason to blast God for a seeming injustice that is happening in your life, there is no reason to publically harass the umpire for making a “bad call,” and this list goes on. There is no reason, because you stand upon a justice that will be victorious. Justice does not have to make itself obnoxious by displaying itself as a public fool. The justice you stand upon is patient enough to take that person to the side and have a calm discussion with them, because the justice you stand upon is also seasoned with grace and these ingredients mixed together desire restoration, reconciliation and renewal.
When you come to a situation in which an injustice has been done to you, before your respond ask yourself this:
“Do I desire more that I am recognized or that God is glorified?” Theme song….Everything I am is for Your glory, Everything I am for You alone…
Questions to Ask Yourself:
1. Do you normally use justice with grace or do you use justice as a weapon?
2. What fears cause us to use justice as a weapon? Can these fears be sinful? (I would love to see a discussion about this on the blog site….)
3. Do you think God is intimidated when injustices seemingly are winning the day? Are you intimidated when injustices are seemingly winning the day?
4. What can you do when injustice is seemingly winning the day?
Pastor e
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When we put our trust in this world we are going to be disappointed, it is inevitable. The person in this illustration was disappointed and took vengeance upon herself. Romans 12:19 tells us that vengeance belongs to the Lord. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. Injustice occurs on a regular basis. When we are the victim we still need to behave in a Christ like manner. In everything, our behavior must reflect our love. We must always be aware that we are witnesses for Christ, 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the moment He returns. It is easy to love and follow God when things are going well but how about when a curve ball gets thrown your way. What do we think of God then? When we take vengeance, we are putting ourselves ahead of God thinking we know better how to handle the situation. Accept it; we are all going to make mistakes. If not, we would be perfect and then there would have been no need for a savior. I am comforted knowing I do not have to be perfect and that Jesus is perfect for me.
Unfortunately, justice is used too often as a weapon. Many times we love to jump on someone who makes a mistake and kick them when they are down. It is a way of boasting ourselves up. What we forget is Luke 6:41-42 and Matthew 7:3-5 where Jesus asks why we see the fault of our brother or sister but not our own. We all have different fears. Jesus challenged those in John 8:7 to cast the first stone if they are sinless. Often we cast the stone and don’t take a hard look at ourselves. Remember what Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:2 For with the judgment you use,you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. that we will be judge.
I believe all fear is sinful. If you fear, are you really putting all your trust in God? God promised to not leave or forsake us. We are putting our fears ahead of God. I am someone who could let my fears takeover my life. But only by the grace of God have I overcome those fears. Especially when I fly. I don’t know if God is intimidated when injustices are winning the day but I would say God is disappointed. God tells us that He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5 and 34:14) so whenever something gets in between Him and us, He is hurt. When I have my quiet time at night and review my day, I too am disappointed whenever I have let things get between God and myself. I like to be proactive with prayer. I know the areas where the enemy wreaks havoc in my life so I pre-pray. For example, I mentioned flying. I am terrified!!! I accept that I am going to be afraid so I pray weeks in advance of a trip for comfort and guidance and above all to be a witness for Him
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