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A Gentle Work

Published: 4 weeks ago- 12 January 2025
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SERMON TRANSCRIPT

Acknowledgement

Over the last few weeks I’ve been reading The Works of Richard Sibbes-a 17th Century Puritan from Suffolk, England. Before we dive into today’s message, I just want to take a moment to acknowledge that Sibbes own book entitled ‘The Bruised Reed’ really shaped my preparation this week. If you’re into sermons worth reading-He’s got a few. With that out of the way, let’s pray together.

i. Introduction

Some mornings Ava, Lucy, and I take a stroll down our street, past the local library, to Everton Park’s most prized coffee shop ‘Smokin Joe’s’. Let me tell you, it gives Blackwood St a run for its money! Just this week, while the girls and I sat down for coffee and milkshakes, a few people were in front of us talking about the year ahead. And one person, with this very defeated posture, said: “Yeah, 2024 didn’t go well.” And then, with a tone unbelief said: “Hoping this year treats me better.”

As I was reflecting on that short moment this week, it reminded me so much of what we all experience and feel. A world that can be unrelenting. A world that often deals with us harshly-that’s unkind, unforgiving, and, at times, ruthlessly indifferent. Whether that’s in workplaces with pressures to perform; or in relationships which are just cold and lack forgiveness; or in situations which just seem hopeless-like everyone is against us. We all, to varying degrees, experience a world that can be merciless.

It’s in these moments that, like this person at the coffee shop, we long for something different, don’t we? Where we long to be treated more kindly, more delicately, and more gently in life.

ii. Series Purpose and Sermon Purpose

This morning/evening, as we continue our series on the ‘Fresh Mercies’ that we have in Christ. We’ll be reminded that whilst the world can deal with us harshly, our God deals with us gently. As we look at Matthew 12:15-21, we’re going to be reminded of what to anticipate from our God in the year ahead. When we’re faced with all manner of situations, we’ll be reminded of God’s fresh mercies: His good, gracious, and gentle work in and for us. And, as we walk-out of church today/tonight, we’ll be called to be people who expect this gentle work, -day by day.

So, let’s take a look at Matthew 12:15-21.

1. Jesus’ Ministry: Gentle and Humble (v16-21)

Here in these verses, we see one of the shortest and sweetest descriptions about the person and work of Jesus. Throughout his Gospel, Matthew takes time to summarise who Jesus is and what Jesus does. He does this by showing how Jesus is the fulfilment of the Old Testament law’s expectations (cf. Matthew 3:3, 3:17, 4:14-17, 8:17, 12:15-21, 13:14-15, 21:4-5, 21:42, 27:9). In this short description, Matthew depicts Jesus as the suffering servant from Isaiah 42-whose ministry is characterised by humility and gentleness. It’s a gentle work.

1.1. Immense Pressure (Backstory)

In the preceding verses, we discover that the Lord Jesus is facing immense pressure. The world is unrelenting toward Jesus. His ministry has caused a stir amongst the people, particularly the religious leaders of Israel (cf. Matt. 12:1-14). A leadership group known as the Pharisees are making plans to “kill Jesus” (cf. Matt. 12:14). Their hearts and hands brew jealousy, bitterness, and murder. They are merciless. But in stark contrast to the hatred of the Pharisees, Matthew highlights Jesus’ humility and gentleness.1

1.2. His ministry (v15-16)

Aware of the Pharisees’ hostility, Jesus “withdraws” from the synagogue (v15a). As Jesus withdraws, a “large crowd followed him” (v15b). As usual, this crowd was full of sinners and sufferers; full of the weary and the burdened; full of the sick and the sorrowful (cf. Matt. 11:19). And what does Jesus do with his followers? What does he do with those who have experience the brutality of the world? Well, Jesus “healed all who were ill” (v15c).2 Jesus has compassion and serves humanity. He cares for the weak; helps the oppressed; restores the broken. But as Jesus’ heals the people, He wants no self-advertisement and no self-promotion. Jesus “warns them not to tell others about him” (v16).3 Jesus’ ministry is one of humility and gentleness. It’s a gentle work.

Moving from one child to two has meant that I have added another phrase to my repertua: “Be gentle”. Whenever the girls are playing, I probably say “Be gentle” a thousand times. And, as you’ve probably experienced, if one of your kids is holding someone else’s beloved pets, I’ll say it ten thousand times so that they don’t murder an innocent animal. Be gentle!

As we know, human beings (however big or small) need reminding: be gentle. Gentleness isn’t our default, nor humility for that matter. But with the Lord Jesus Christ, humility and gentleness come ever so naturally. His work with sinners and sufferers is ever so thoughtful, kind, and compassionate. He’s what people living in an unrelenting world really need.

1.3. As Promised (v17-21)

As Matthew writes about Jesus’ ministry here, He concludes that all of this is just what we need. It’s what God’s people, and even those who aren’t God’s people, have always needed. A promised servant who works gently.

In verses 17, Matthew reminds us that Jesus “fulfils what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah” (v17). The Lord Jesus is God’s Spirit-anointed, divinely chosen, and beloved servant (v18a-b). And the purpose of His ministry is to “proclaim justice to the nations” (v18c)-to establish God’s rule; God’s kingdom; God’s salvation for all people. The Lord Jesus is God’s glorious king who will rule the nations.

But, how does Jesus fulfil this calling?

Through arrogance? No. Through power? No. Through force? No. No, Jesus will deal humbly and gently. Humbly and gently with His words. “He will not quarrel or cry out” (v19a). “No one will hear his voice in the streets” (v19b). And humble and gentle with His works. “A bruised reed he will not break” (v20a). “A smouldering wick he will not snuff out” (v20b). This glorious servant-king, chosen by God, will deal humbly and gently-until God’s kingdom arrives.

This is an absolutely beautiful portrait of the Lord Jesus, isn’t it?

Despite the fact that Jesus is under immense pressure, facing the brutality of the world-His words and works are marked by humility and gentleness. His ministry one of mercy, non-violence, and love.4 Where it is natural for words to be arrogant; or hostile; or unpleasant-Jesus’ words will be humble and peaceful. Where it is natural to discard or to replace something broken or dysfunctional-Jesus work will be kind, patient, and caring (cf. Matthew 11:28). In this short and sweet description, we discover the immense patience and willingness of the Lord Jesus to deal gently with sinners and sufferers.

When I was working on our family’s cattle property, we faced a few years of drought. As the land dried out and the feed faded away, bit by bit the cows and calves would deteriorate. They’d get sick, skinny, and weak. So, every day we would have to drive feed out to the stock. But eventually, we couldn’t feed them any longer, we had to bring them back to the yards. It was a 10km journey, pushing a couple of hundred cows and calves down a lane. It seemed simple. But the mob were so unwell, so weak, so frail that we couldn’t use the dogs; we had to stop at every water station; we had to wait until the very last one would move out from that shady tree-we had to just slowly, bit by bit, lead them home. It required immense patience and willingness to deal gently.

When the Lord Jesus engages with humanity-with sinners and sufferers: he works like this (but in far more significant ways). He deals ever so gently.

Anticipate Gentleness5

So, how might this “fresh mercy” speak into the year ahead?

Well, much like last week, this speaks into the ways we treat each other, serve one another, and do ministry together. It speaks about the kind of love we should have. But, more than that, it reminds us of what to anticipate from our God. If/when we’re bruised by sin to the point of breaking; if/when our faith is smouldering to the point of burning out-we should anticipate gentleness.

Yes, we should remember that in the Scriptures, God isn’t all gentleness. He is strong and firm, like a roaring lion. But, as Sibbes reminds us: “He will only tear to pieces those who refuse Him”.6 For to his own, God “will not show his strength against them”.7 Instead, He can deal gently.

So, when we see the depths of our sin and our misery; when we see that we’re powerless to fix ourselves; when we feel helpless and hopeless-expect God’s gentle work in Jesus Christ. When the world deals harshly, God can deal gently. So, we should come to Jesus because He will not break us or snuff us out, but will “cherish us”.8 We should come to Him who heals the broken hearted and ignites the smouldering.9 We should come to Him who says to sinners and sufferers:

  • “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3)
  • “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2)
  • “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)

We should come to Him who has “compassion” on the harassed and the helpless (cf. Matthew 9:36); Come to Him who “is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray” (cf. Hebrews 5:2). Come to Him who was “bruised for our iniquities” (cf. Isaiah 53:5) and was “snuffed out” for our salvation. When we sin and when we suffer, we should bring ourselves to Him who “doesn’t handle us roughly” or “doesn’t scowl and scold” or “doesn’t lash out” and rage.10 We should anticipate His gentle work.

But for whatever reason, some of us might struggle to anticipate gentleness from God.

  • Maybe that’s because of our own experience of others. We project our own experiences with authority figures (like parents, teachers, and leaders) onto God.
  • Maybe that’s because of our own misconceptions about God’s character. Viewing God primarily as a harsh judge, and not a gracious Father.
  • Maybe that’s because we focus so much on God’s Holiness and Majesty that His tenderness and nearness are overlooked.
  • Maybe that’s because we might feel that God’s gentleness is for “better” people, not people as flawed as ourselves. For people who are ‘less sinful’.
  • Maybe that’s because of life’s hardships. Pain, suffering, and unanswered prayers make it so difficult to see God as gentle.

For some of us, we might struggle to anticipate gentleness from God. So, why then, should we anticipate it?

Well, as Richard Sibbes beautifully writes, it’s because “There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us”.11

“Physicians, though they put their patients to much pain, will not destroy nature, but raise it up by degrees. Surgeons will lance and cut, but not dismember. A mother who has a sick and self-willed child will not therefore cast it away. And shall there be more mercy in the stream than in the spring? Shall we think there is more mercy in ourselves than in God, who plants the affection of mercy in us?… He is a physician good at all diseases, especially at the binding up of a broken heart”.12

Anticipate God’s gentle work in Christ-because He is utterly for the “bruised reeds”, the heartbroken, the distressed, and the discouraged. He will neither break them nor quench them; instead, he will apply more and more of his tender mercy.

In his book, Gentle and Lowly, Ortlund also writes about Christ’s gentleness toward sinners and sufferers. He writes this:

“Looking inside ourselves, we can anticipate only harshness from heaven. Looking out to Christ, we can anticipate only gentleness”.13

Conclusion

As we sat at the coffee shop this week, as I overheard that person’s reflections on their past year, this is what I want to say to them (and even to us):

Yes-this is a world that will be unrelenting. A world that deals with us harshly. But, there is a God who offers fresh, new, day-by-day mercies. A God who can deal gently.


Endnotes

1 Carson, Matthew, 636.

2 BDAG, 453; Louw and Nida, 269.

3 Beaton, Isaiah in Matthew’s Gospel, 63-78., from Carson and Beale, Commentary of the New Testament’s use of the Old Testament, 44.

4 Carson and Beale, Commentary on the New Testament use of the Old Testament, 42.

5 Idea borrowed from a final quote in: Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers, 62.

6 Sibbes, The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes: The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax, 45.

7 Sibbes, The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes: The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax, 45.

8 Sibbes, The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes: The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax, 64.

9 Sibbes, The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes: The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax, 64.

10 Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers, 60.

11 Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers, 60.

12 Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers, 44-45.

13 Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers, 62.