The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (3)

In pursuing his calling, Christ will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, in which more is meant than spoken, for he will not only not break nor quench, but he will cherish those with whom he so deals. Physicians, though they put their patients to much pain, will not destroy nature, but raise it up by degrees. A mother who has a sick and self-willed child will not therefore cast it away. Consider the comfortable relationships he has taken upon himself of husband, shepherd, and brother, which he will discharge to the utmost. Will others by his grace fulfil what he calls them to, and not he who, out of his love, has taken upon himself these relationships? Consider his very name Jesus, a Saviour, given him by God himself. Consider his office answerable to his name, which is that he should 'bind up the broken hearted' (Isa. 61:1).
As a prophet, he came with blessing in his mouth, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit' (Matt. 5:3), and invited those to come to him whose hearts suggested most exceptions against themselves, ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden' (Matt. 11:28). How did his heart yearn when he saw the people 'as sheep having no shepherd' (Matt. 9:36)! Не never turned any back again that came to him, though some went away of themselves. He shed tears for those that shed his blood, and now he makes intercession in heaven for weak Christians. He is a meek king; he will admit mourners into his presence. As he has beams of majesty, so he has a heart of mercy and compassion. Why was he tempted, but that he might 'succour them that are tempted' (Heb. 2:18)? What mercy may we not expect from so gracious a Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5) who took our nature upon him that he might be gracious? He is a physician good at all diseases, especially at the binding up of a broken heart. He died that he might heal our souls with a bandage of his own blood, and by that death save us.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Bruised Reed, pp. 7-8 [7-9]
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.