December 19: THE UNDISCOURAGED FAITH OF JESUS (part 1)

He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench. He will bring forth justice for truth. Isaiah 42:2-3 (see also Matthew 12:18-21)

No names are mentioned here. Nevertheless, it is obvious that Isaiah, the human author of the book that bears his name, is inspired by the Holy Spirit to describe the Savior – and, by extension, His followers who, in Christlikeness, will carry out their assigned task of spreading the gospel message of salvation in gentleness.

Isn’t it absurd to imagine Jesus standing on a soapbox on a busy city corner yelling at the people passing by? Such a question asked in hindsight may seem unfair to those who were alive during the time before He entered our world as a baby. The mighty work undertaken by the Savior was to be done quietly and unobtrusively. There would be no pompous show or ceremonious parade in the streets. If only the Jews had believed the verses above, they would not have been carried away by the idea of a Savior who would storm onto the scene and lead a violent, military overthrow of the Romans.

There are countless souls who are like a bruised reed in this world. In fact, we may ask: is there anyone who has not been battered in one way or another? The tenderness with which the Savior ministered to the weak and oppressed is a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy here. And smoking flax He will not quench. A flickering linen wick that seems ready to go out is the human soul nearly crushed under the weight of Satan’s accusations and self-condemnation. This is the burden that the Savior desires to deliver us from (see Zechariah 3).

“In the work of soul winning, great tact and wisdom are needed. The Savior never suppressed the truth, but He uttered it always in love… He exercised the greatest tact, and He was always kind and thoughtful… never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave unnecessary pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity, but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes. He never made truth cruel, but ever manifested a deep tenderness for humanity. Every soul was precious in His sight. He bore Himself with divine dignity; yet He bowed with the tenderest compassion and regard to every member of the family of God. He saw in all, souls whom it was His mission to save.” Gospel Workers by EGW (p.117)

He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law. Isaiah 42:4