the tenderness of Jesus. Charles Spurgeon. Matthew chapter 12 verse 20. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. What a portrait this verse paints of our merciful Savior. In just a few words, We see the immeasurable gentleness, patience, and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ toward weak and wounded believers. He is the mighty King. Yes, but He is also the tender Shepherd who cares for the frailest of His flock. The bruised reed is not upright, strong, or fruitful. It is bent, cracked, and seemingly worthless. In the eyes of men, such a reed might as well be discarded. But not so with Jesus. He does not despise the one who has been battered by sin, by sorrow, or by the assaults of Satan. He does not snap the trembling soul in two. Instead, He binds up the broken, strengthens the feeble, and gently restores those who fall. The smoldering wick is a faint and flickering light. It barely glows, producing more smoke than flame. To the impatient, it would seem easier to extinguish it and replace it altogether. But Jesus does not quench that smoldering wick. He does not despise the believer whose faith is small, whose zeal has grown cold, or whose joy is nearly extinguished. He tenderly breathes life into that little spark until it becomes a flame again. This is the heart of our Savior. He does not demand perfect strength or unwavering faith from us. He gives it. He knows how we are formed. He remembers that we are dust. He is drawn to our weakness, not repelled by it. He stoops to lift up the weary. He holds fast to those who can barely hold on to Him. How can this be? Because He Himself was bruised. As Isaiah chapter 53 verse 5 says, He was pierced for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. Jesus was the perfectly strong one, yet He allowed Himself to be crushed under the wrath of God for our sake. On the cross, the flame of His life was extinguished, that the smoldering wick of our souls might burn eternally in glory. He was broken, that the bruised reed might be spared. Dear believer, are you feeling bruised today? By your failures, by trials, or by temptations? Are you only a flickering ember, struggling to believe, struggling to love, struggling to hope? then take heart. The one who walks among the lampstands will not snuff out your light. He will tend it. He will fan it. He will make it shine again. Let us come to Him as we are, not pretending to be strong, but confessing our weakness and trusting in His tender mercy. For this Savior never turns away the lowly, the broken, or the faint believer. He lifts them, revives them, and leads them gently, till He leads justice to victory. Lord Jesus, I praise You for Your gentle and lowly heart. I am often bruised, often faint, yet You do not cast me away. Strengthen what is weak in me. Rekindle the flame of love and faith in my heart. Thank you for your endless patience and mercy. Keep me close to you until the day when faith becomes sight. Amen.