“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope” (Matthew 12:20-21 ESV).
The Spirit inspired Matthew to quote the Messianic prophecy from Isaiah 42:3 as being fulfilled in Jesus. For the type of justice and victory that Christ would bring was not as worldly kings would. For Christ’s kingdom did not come with violence and destruction. King Jesus was so gentle that He would not break the weakest reed (Literally, “a bruised reed”). A bruised reed already being in such a weakened state that the slightest touch might break it.
Did this refer to the Pharisees who were plotting against Him? Perhaps. Certainly, their power was already so weakened by Rome that it would soon break. Rather than breaking them, He withdrew from them. Or perhaps the reed signified the weak and poor crowds that followed Him. For He healed and fed them, and instructed them to not to make Him known. For His time had not yet come, and He would not become king by a rioting crowd.
And what of the “smoldering wick?” This describes the wick of an oil lamp that has run out of oil. It no longer provides light, it only smokes as the dry flax burns, and that for only a short while. Again, this might point to the Pharisees or the Jewish nation, who would soon be destroyed by Rome. For God had intended for them to be a light to the world, but they had become only a smoldering wick. Jesus was so meek that He would not even quench a smoking wick. For His focus was on being the true light and bringing forth true justice and victory, so that even the Gentiles would put their hope in Him.
Jesus was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of a gentle Messiah who would bring victory in a new way. For instead of the troops dying for the king, King Jesus died for them. He did not die to defeat the Pharisees, nor Rome, nor any other worldly kingdom. He died and rose again to defeat sin, death, and Satan. Jesus won a better victory for us (1 Cor. 15:57)! Have you placed your trust in Him?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we believe in Your Son, Jesus. For He is the Messiah of whom Isaiah prophesied and of whom Matthew saw with his own eyes. Now, we have believed in Him. We have not seen Him, but we have believed in Him and have received His Spirit by which we cry out to You, Abba, Father! May we live in this world as Jesus did. For we are citizens of His kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.