The Bruised Reed - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - The Reed and the Bruising

The main scripture passage that Sibbes is working from over the course of the book is Isa. 42:1-3:

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.

Sibbes begins by describing Christ as the servant who the Father delights in. Before even digging into discussing the bruised reeds, he makes a great statement about focusing on Christ during our trials and temptations.

"In temptations it is safest to behold nothing but Christ the true brazen serpent, the true 'Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world' (John 1:29)" p.2

This refers to Numbers 21:4-9, where the people of Israel complained that Moses and God had brought them out of Egypt to die for lack of food and water in the wilderness. God sent serpents among them that bit and killed some of the people. The people repented and Moses prayed to the Lord, who instructed him to make a serpent and put it on a pole. When people were bitten by the serpents, they would look upon the bronze serpent that Moses had made and they would live.

Similiarly, now we look upon Christ, focus on him and live. He is the bronze serpent that takes away our sins as Sibbes says. This is a necessary reminder to focus on Christ at all times, good or bad. We can so easily be distracted by our circumstances during our trials or become self-confident during times of blessing, but life comes through keeping our eyes focused on Christ.

Sibbes also mentions God's pleasure in his redemptive plan:

"What a support to our faith is this, that God the Father, the party offended by our sins, is so well pleased with the work of redemption." p. 2

This is a glorious and amazing thought. God's work in redemption was not "Plan B" or a quick fix when things went badly with creation. Rather, redemption was planned by God from the beginning and carried out by his hand, and he is pleased with the work of Christ.

Lastly, Sibbes begins to describe what is meant by the "bruised reed". He describes Christ's coming as modest and mild. Both his birth and his interactions with people show his humility and caring nature towards sinners. Those Christ was coming to deal with are described as bruised reeds and smoking flax. This brusing can occur both before and after conversion and differs from person to person. Sibbes speaks of God emptying us of ourselves before utilizing us for his service.

What exactly does it look like to be bruised? A bruised reed is a man who is in misery and comes to see his sin as the cause of it. The smoking flax refers to the spark of hope that is kindled when one sees that help for this situation must come from outside. Sibbes states that these two components are what make one what Christ calls "poor in spirit" in Matt. 5:3. Sibbes describes the man who is a bruised reed and smoking flax:

"He has no means of supply from himself or the creature, and thereupon mourns, and, upon some hope of mercy from the promise and examples of those who have obtained mercy, is stirred up to hunger and thirst after it." p.4

What is the purpose of being bruised? Well, the bruising levels our pride prior to conversion and makes way for the Holy Spirit. Also, this bruising causes us to place a higher value on Christ and to be more grateful for what God has done. Bruising also makes us aware that God's plan and purpose is far greater than our own. The bruising continues after conversion in order that our pride might be kept in check. It conforms us to the image of Christ, who suffered for us. This also helps to encourage other believers who may be weaker in the faith. Reflecting on the weakness we see in great figures of the Bible, like David and Peter, Sibbes says:

"The heroic deeds of these great worthies do not comfort the church so much as their falls and bruises do." p.5

We should be encouraged that God used these great men despite their weakness and imperfection. Similiarly, when we feel weak and insufficient we remind ourselves that our strength comes from God and he has the ability to use us even in our weakness 2 Cor. 12:9.