A gentle Messiah

Matthew 12: 14 - 21

Here is my servant whom I have chosen....a bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.

Jesus is described by Matthew as the Spirit-endowed, Suffering Servant who comes to bring justice to the nations. Here again, we notice one crucial aspect of Jesus' ministry: his gentle compassion towards the wounded (bruised reeds) and those who are nearly at the end of their own resources (smouldering wicks). Such a Messiah has an unexpected demeanor. He will not be a military leader who drives out the Romans by force. Yet in the end, he will be victorious and will bring about justice not only for Israel but for all the nations. Indeed in him we put our hope.

Isaiah's description tells me about how I am to bring Christ to others. His way of reaching out to the needy ones is always gentle. There is no need for show-manship or one up-manship. Jesus heals the crowds but does not want his name known....yet. There is a time for everything. At that point, he ministers compassionately and quietly. There is always a temptation to make a 'name' for ourselves when our ministry flourishes. More seems to be the catchword today. Churches strive for excellence and yet could that not be a way of couching the need to show off? Inner motivations are important to God. We cannot judge others from the externals but it is important to be open to God's searchlight in our own lives.

This week I sat beside an elderly lady at a talk. I was tempted to seek out a more alert partner in the spiritual formation exercise to be done in pairs, given at the end of the talk. I sensed that moment of hesitancy within. Then I turned round to the elderly lady and asked her to join me. It did not go as it was supposed to as she obviously could not follow the instructions given. But I chose to be present to her needs after the inner struggle with selfishly seeking to have my own needs met. I entered the life of an elderly person, someone whose life is so different from mine.. ....whose stage of life brings up questions I would otherwise not consider. In the end, I was grateful I gave in to God's invitation. I believe she was grateful as she asked for my phone number as we ended.

There are many needs around us and many injustices. I am glad that I have Jesus as my model of a gentle Messiah, interested in persons, unlike the military figure some in Israel were hoping for. He teaches us the way of gently ministering to those who are wounded and those whose resources in life are nearly depleted. We are invited to join in and work with him now in the process of healing and justice he has begun and will bring to completion in the time and way set out by his Father. Therein lies our deepest joy and hope.