Lessons From Bethlehem

Lessons FromBETHLEHEM

“A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness He will bring forth justice.” Isaiah 42.3 NIV

Isaiah 42 is a prophetic chapter that describes the character and work of our Messiah. The rich imagery speaks to both the spiritual and personal dimensions of all of our lives, but it has a special bearing upon those involved in reconciliation work among Israelis and Palestinians.

In fact, among those for whom the violence and hopelessness of the Middle East is local news, understanding that “a bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out” is particularly poignant. It not only reminds us that our Savior provides hope and promises justice, but also that His ways are gentle. And without this reminder we might choose a different path.

After all, the voices of conflict surround us. The forces of extremism and the winds of anger seem to be in the very air we breathe. Bitterness and resentment fill almost every heart. Which means that two of the biggest challenges we face are internal.

The first comes from friends and family who think our desire for reconciliation leads to dangerous compromises and concessions. The second comes from our own heart: “Am I doing the right thing? How can I love my enemy without betraying my people? Why should I seek to forgive when they seek revenge? Do I really have a clear picture of what is going on?” Following Christ in the land of His birth is very hard.

For the believer striving to fulfill the commands and example of our Messiah – to love even our enemies – these internal and external pressures can bring brokenness. Yet in brokenness the Spirit ministers, and brings and sustains life.

The very words that Isaiah used – a “bruised reed” and a “smoldering wick” – suggest that God knows our struggles and just how fragile the situation is. They imply that the outcome hangs by just a few fibers and that the flame is just about to die out. And yet they also impart hope, because they promise that these last strands will not break and even a flickering candle will not die.

As one who has spent his adult life in ministries of reconciliation, I find the very choice of a reed significant. It is a lowly and simple plant, not at all like the powerful and majestic cedar tree. But that is the nature of our work. The world looks to the powerful and the mighty to end the conflict, and it ridicules our talk of forgiveness and love. But they also looked for a powerful and militarily mighty savior, and instead met Jesus, who was meek and mild.

This passage in Isaiah describes the Spirit of the Messiah as one of restoration. This is the language we are to embrace. We are reminded that God sent His Spirit to a world that was violent and rebellious. And with a gentle voice He invited us to be reconciled to Him and to each other. External pressures and internal brokenness may suggest a different way. But we are to follow the example of our Savior, who brings hope and life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Salim Munayer and his family live in an integrated neighborhood in Jerusalem, where he serves as both dean of a Bible college and director of a ministry of reconciliation. He is fluent in English, Hebrew and Arabic, and has been at the center of reconciliation initiatives for twenty years.

NOTE: This article is reprinted by permission from “Hope For A Despairing World,” CISF (Christian International Scholarship Foundation), Lake Forest, Illinois, 2003.