The Bruised Reed

1. Christ's Gentle Heart for the Weak

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

Divine commission. God calls Christ his "servant" for the greatest service: our salvation. This mission, foretold by Isaiah and fulfilled by Matthew, reveals God's sweet love, as He puts His only Son to this task. Christ's coming was modest and mild, specifically to deal with those who are weak and struggling.

Tender relationships. Christ embodies mercy, taking on roles like husband, shepherd, and brother, which he discharges to the utmost. His very name, Jesus, signifies "Saviour," and his office is to "bind up the brokenhearted." He came not to condemn, but to heal, showing compassion even for his enemies.

Mercy's source. We should never think there is more mercy in ourselves than in God, who plants the affection of mercy in us. Christ's heart yearned for the people, and he never turned away anyone who came to him. His advancement to heaven has not made him forget his own flesh; he remains our compassionate Mediator.

2. Embracing Spiritual Bruising

This bruising is required before conversion that so the Spirit may make way for himself into the heart by levelling all proud, high thoughts, and that we may understand ourselves to be what indeed we are by nature.

The bruised reed. A "bruised reed" is a person in misery, brought to see sin as its cause. They are sensible of sin and misery, seeing no help in themselves, and are carried with restless desire and some hope towards Christ. This state is essential for the Spirit to humble proud thoughts and reveal our true nature.

Good effects of bruising. This spiritual brokenness makes us value Christ highly, seeing the gospel as truly good and morality's "fig leaves" as insufficient. It fosters thankfulness, leading to a more fruitful life, and establishes us in God's ways, having learned from past mistakes. Even after conversion, bruising reminds us of our weakness and dependence on mercy.

Conformity to Christ. We must not judge harshly when God exercises us with bruising, for it conforms us to Christ, who "was bruised for us." Ungodly spirits may censure brokenhearted Christians, but God is doing a gracious work, bringing them from nature to grace, and from grace to glory, despite our unyielding hearts.

3. Cherishing the Smallest Spark of Grace

Nothing so little as grace at first, and nothing more glorious afterward.

Grace's humble beginnings. Just as a mighty oak grows from an acorn, grace often starts as a tiny spark, a "grain of mustard seed." It is little at first, but destined for glory, growing by degrees like the most perfect creatures. We should not despise these small beginnings, for Christ values us by what we shall become.

Grace mingled with corruption. The "smoking flax" signifies that grace is not only small but mixed with much corruption, like smoke with light. This mixture means believers still struggle with sin, and even their purest actions need Christ's perfume. This ongoing conflict is evident in biblical figures:

• Moses' groans at the Red Sea
• David's haste and subsequent supplications
• The disciples' cry, "Lord, save us: we perish"
• Jonah's despair mixed with hope

Purpose of the mixture. This blend of grace and corruption serves to guard us against pride and security, forcing us to rely on justification rather than our imperfect sanctification. Our spiritual fire, like earthly fire, is mixed, but will be pure in heaven, our proper element.

4. Christ's Unfailing Commitment to Nurture Grace

If Christ should not be merciful, he would miss of his own ends: `There is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared'.

Divine origin and purpose. Christ will not quench the smoking flax because this spark is from heaven, kindled by His own Spirit, and tends to the glory of His powerful grace. He preserves light amidst darkness, a spark amidst the swelling waters of corruption, ensuring His ends of forgiveness and fear are met.

Examples of Christ's tenderness. Christ bore with Thomas's doubting, the Emmaus disciples' wavering, and Peter's denial. He responded to "if thou wilt, thou canst" with "I will, be thou clean." He cherishes anything good, even making excuses for his disciples' infirmities, knowing "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Support the weak. We, who are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, following Christ's pattern. This means:

• Not assailing beginners with minor matters, but focusing on fundamentals.
• Concealing defects, excusing failings, commending progress.
• Removing difficulties and helping them bear the yoke of religion with ease.
• Denying our liberties to avoid offending weak ones.
  Christ refuses none for weakness of parts, accepting the simplest, for He is the teacher who gives understanding.

5. The Spirit of Mercy Guides Our Conduct

That spirit of mercy that was in Christ should move his servants to be content to abase themselves for the good of the meanest.

Preachers' responsibility. Ministers of Christ should avoid setting standards too high or hiding truth in obscure speech. Truth, when unadorned, is most lovely and powerful. They should abase themselves for the good of the meanest, like Paul becoming "all things to all men," and avoid "doubtful disputations" that distract and tire.

Balancing mercy and severity. Mercy does not negate sound judgment. While inclining to the milder part in church censures, we must not countenance lukewarmness or indulge those needing quickening. Authority, a beam of God's majesty, prevails most with least human mixture, requiring wisdom to be neither too tight nor too loose.

Our debt to the weak. As private Christians, we are debtors to the weak. We must be watchful in our liberty, inoffensive in behavior, and avoid slandering others or misrepresenting their good actions. We should not usurp judgment over others, especially in indifferent matters, but rather seek to love and bear with their infirmities, remembering Christ's marvelous temper of holiness and moderation.

6. Discerning True Grace Amidst Imperfection

We must acknowledge that in the covenant of grace God requires the truth of grace, not any certain measure; and a spark of fire is fire, as well as the whole element.

Eyes to see. To know if we are "smoking flax," we need two eyes: one for imperfections, one for good. We must not judge ourselves solely by present feelings, nor by comparing our "blaze" to others. False reasoning can lead to bearing false witness against ourselves, dishonoring God's Spirit.

Covenant of grace. Under the covenant of grace, God requires the truth of grace, not a specific measure. A weak hand can receive a rich jewel, and a few grapes prove a vine. Sincerity is perfection, and God accepts our feeble, blemished obedience. This covenant, unlike the law, offers strength and mitigation, freeing us from bondage.

Marks of heavenly fire. Where this heavenly light is kindled:

• It has heat, producing love in affections.
• It directs in the right way, guiding life's passages.
• It severs flesh from spirit, discerning gold from dross.
• It is delightful, making us willing to reform and perform.
• It is active, fighting against all contrary things.
• It makes the heart pliable and malleable.
• It labors to produce gracious impressions in others.
• It carries the soul heavenward with holy aims and constant desires.
• It grows in measure and purity, discarding corruption.

7. Confronting Discouragement and Temptation

It is better to go bruised to heaven than sound to hell.

Temptations hindering comfort. Weak Christians often face temptations that hinder comfort:

• Lack of full assurance, mistaking smoke for absence of fire.
• Bodily weakness, thinking grace dies with feeble performances.
• Hideous thoughts and vile representations from Satan, which are not our guilt if detested.
  These are not unique to us, but common struggles that force us to spiritual exercises and closer walking with God.

Weakness should not deter duty. Despite feeling hearts rebelling or duties turning out badly, we should persist. God strengthens us in duty, and obedience is most direct when there's nothing else to sweeten the action. What is won from corruption brings comfort, and feeling often follows discharge of duty.

Sources of discouragement. Discouragements do not come from the Father, who pities us, nor from Christ, who will not quench the smoking flax, nor from the Spirit, who is a comforter. They arise from ourselves and Satan, who seeks to instill a loathing of duty. Weaknesses do not break God's covenant or debar us from mercy; rather, they incline God to us more.

8. Believe Christ, Not Satan's Lies

In time of temptation, believe Christ rather than the devil.

Satan's misrepresentations. When troubled by sin, Satan presents Christ as a severe judge. We must counter this by beholding Christ as God presents Him: holding a scepter of mercy, arms open to receive us. Christ is the mirror of all meekness, embodying all perfections of mercy and love.

Christ's true nature. He sees His own nature in us, finding love even in our blemishes and diseases, for we are His members. Satan's art is to discredit God's love, but we must abhor such suspicious thoughts. Even when Christ seems an enemy, like Joseph, it is to make way for His mercy, supplying hidden strength to prevail.

Trusting in doubt. If you question if you are "smoking flax," your very objection, your restless groanings and complaints, prove the presence of life. Do not wrong the Spirit's work. Cast yourself into Christ's arms; if mercy is anywhere, it is there. He who died for His enemies will not refuse those whose desire is towards Him.

9. Christ's Victorious Reign Within Us

The gracious frame of holiness set up in our hearts by the Spirit of Christ shall go forward until all contrary power is subdued.

Judgment unto victory. "Judgment" here means Christ's kingdom of grace within us, where He sets up a throne in our hearts. Our spirit, governed by Christ's Spirit, aligns with His judgment, discerning good, condemning sin, and progressing until all contrary power is subdued. This spiritual fire consumes corruption.

Mildness leads to obedience. Christ's mildness serves to establish His government. He pardons to be obeyed as a king, taking us as His spouse to be obeyed as a husband. The Spirit convinces us of both His righteousness to cover us and His government to rule us, framing us to be like Him.

Justification and sanctification. Christ is not only our righteousness but also our sanctification. He saves us from sin's power by His Spirit, as well as from its guilt by His death. We are ruled by a spirit of love, making His commandments easy, and drawn strongly by a Spirit of power, changing our disposition to be new creatures.

10. Through Conflict to Ultimate Triumph

Our victory in Christ is certain.

Inevitable conflict. Christ's government will not prevail without a fight. Nothing is so opposed as Christ and His rule, both within and without. Corruption, being older, and Satan, the strong man, will not yield quietly. Expect opposition, for Christ brings division to reveal hearts and set things straight.

Reasons for Christ's victory. Christ's kingdom must prevail because:

• He conquered all in His own person.
• We encounter accursed enemies destined to fall.
• The Spirit of truth and His Word abide forever.
• "Unto everyone that hath shall be given."
• Christ brings commanding light and rules forever.
• His purpose is to destroy the devil's works and quicken our souls.
  This power is conveyed by faith, transforming us into His likeness.

Our certain victory. The victory lies with Christ, who conquers for us and in us. We are to be "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might," looking to our Captain, not our enemies. Weakness with watchfulness will stand, and even the weakest faith, if true, will prevail. Christ's dislike of our infirmities turns not to hatred of our persons, but to the victorious subduing of all our weaknesses, bringing grace to glory.

Last updated: February 10, 2026