a surrendered life

In his gospel account of the life and teachings of Jesus, Matthew echoes the prophet Isaiah’s words about the Messiah. As I read the full passage in Matthew 12:18-21 and then Isaiah 42:1-9, I was drawn to the part about the bruised reed and the smoldering wick. “What does this mean?” I wondered. Some research revealed that “bruised reed” and “smoldering wick” were idioms in Hebrew that referred to those who are oppressed and crushed in spirit, people without hope who had nobody to help them, no one to champion their cause.

At the time Jesus walked the earth, the nation of Israel lived under Roman occupation and rule. So in a very real sense, the entire nation, all of the Jewish people in Israel, lived under military and governmental oppression. But some among them lived under additional oppression as well – the sinners, the prostitutes, thieves, tax collectors, and the sick and disabled. These people suffered the oppression of the Romans while also being outcast and reviled by their own people. They were forbidden from worship, unwelcome at family and community gatherings, and there was no path of redemption available to them. They were utterly without hope. Until Jesus came, that is.

Those oppressed because of their sin, the poor in spirit who mourned their sinful state, were the first people Jesus spoke of when He first began teaching His followers. Jesus treated them differently than their neighbors did. He showed them love and gentleness. He promised them the Kingdom of God. Yes, He told them to repent and sin no more. Yes, He expected them to change their behavior and stop sinning, but He didn’t treat them with contempt. He offered them a way out of their hopeless situation, a way to overcome their past. He loved them.

And He loves you.

No matter who you are. No matter what you have done. As long as you are still alive, there is hope. Jesus loves you. You are not too lost to be found. You can be forgiven. You can change. He can help you.

Call out to Him! Ask Him to forgive you. Surrender your life to Him.

What do you have to lose except fear, hopelessness, despair, anxiety, contempt, misery, and burden?

What do you have to gain? ETERNAL LIFE! Forgiveness, acceptance, love, joy, peace. Don’t you want that? It is available to you completely free.

Pray. Ask the Lord to forgive you. Tell Him you are ready to turn from sin. Give your life to Him. Ask Him to take over. Thank Him for sending Jesus to give you hope. Then tell somebody! Seek a Bible-based church. Get a Bible and start reading it.

Your life will change.

I hope you will share this with every broken reed and smoldering wick you know. Jesus loves them. As His followers, we should, too.