"Rest for the Humble" 6/19/24

Dear brothers & sisters,

In the midst of Jesus' ministry, we are given a divine footnote (as it were).

Matthew 12:15-21

15 Aware of this, (the Pharisee's were plotting to kill Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath) Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16 He warned them not to tell others about him. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.

20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.

21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”

(Quotation from Isaiah 42:1-4)

There is much food for thought in these verses about Jesus, chosen & beloved by God. But the main reason Matthew cites the fulfillment of this prophetic word is because (as was foretold) Jesus did not come in great glory and fanfare. He came in humility. He did not seek out fame, but rather sought to avoid it, for he came to do the will of His Father. And this is good news for the bruised reed and the smoldering wick, those who are broken by sin and whose faith is all but gone.

We who would be raised up and enter into his glory, must likewise be willing to become humble & gentle. We must abandon all self-righteousness & self-hope to trust in the one promised of God, Jesus Christ. Indeed a short while earlier, Jesus offered this good news: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and. I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. for my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

May you find rest in Christ this week. 

Grace & Peace,

Matt