Jesus Is My Comfort

"He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street" (Isaiah 42:2), is a reference to the fact that Jesus was quiet, patient, and kind in His dealings with people in His ministry during His first coming. Even when the scribes and Pharisees confronted Him and challenged Him, He did not lose control. He spoke hard, confrontational truths, but always with loving patience and kindness, which should be exemplified in us.

After being tempted for forty days in the wilderness, Jesus went to His hometown of Nazareth and entered the synagogue. He was handed the book of Isaiah and He read these words: "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD (Luke 4:18-19, quoting Isaiah 61:1-2a).

Then He said, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21). And all the people "marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, 'Is this not Joseph's son?'" (v. 22). So Jesus stated the situation plainly: "You will surely say this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country'" (v. 23).

He knew the people. They only wanted to see a sign. They selfishly wanted only what they could gain. So Jesus said: "Asusredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian" (vs. 24-27).

That did not make for very happy campers. In fact, the people "were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff" (vs. 28-29). And what did Jesus do? It says, "Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way" (v. 30).

"Passing through the midst of them, He went His way" (v. 30). Jesus didn't get angry, though they threatened His life without cause. He didn't yell at them, or scold them, or even challenge them in any way. He simply walked away! "Passing through the midst of them, He went His way" (v. 30). He kept His cool and He remained patient and kind.

Isaiah describes the Messiah as bringing justice to the people and having compassion for the weak and oppressed: "A bruised reed He will not break" (Isaiah 42:3a). Not breaking "a bruised reed" carries the idea of compassion. The thought is that the Messiah, when He comes, will have compassion for those who are weak and downtrodden—the least among them.

Reeds grow by the water. They are hollow, and when the wind blows hard or an animal coming for a drink pushes them aside, they are easily bent or "bruised." Shepherds often used reeds to make small whistle-like musical instruments. But if the reed became creased, it was useless. If still in the ground, it died. If the shepherd's reed instrument was bent and creased, it would crack and splinter. It would no longer be of any use.

People living under the pressures of poverty and oppression, like the reed, were easily "bruised." The Messiah would come to give them comfort, hope and faith. The few, the wealthy, the politically powerful, had created an unjust culture in Israel. The many, the poor, suffered under that corrupt culture. The Messiah would not reinforce that culture, He would overturn it.

His purpose is salvation—to deliver hope, joy, and the promise of eternal life. No matter what your circumstances now, faith in Jesus, the Messiah, makes certain the hope of living in His presence forever.

Verse 3b continues: "And smoking flax He will not quench." "Smoking flax" (v. 3b) is a smoldering wick in an oil lamp. The fire is still alive, but dying. This again refers to the weak and suffering. They are beaten down by the social structures of the day as well as severe poverty and suffering. The Messiah would not add to their suffering, instead "He will bring forth justice for truth" (v. 3c). He gives salvation and a future in heaven. He is my comfort. Amen.