This is the manuscript of the sermon preached on Sunday February 1, 2026.
He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. (Matthew 12:19-20 NIV)
Scripture
Matthew 12:14-21 NIV [14] But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. [15] Aware of this, 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.”
Isaiah 42:1-4 NIV [1] “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. [2] He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. [3] A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; [4] he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
Introduction:
As we begin our time together today, we are at the beginning of Black History Month. It is a time to honor the resilience, the profound contributions, and the sacred dignity of Black lives. Yet, we cannot speak of dignity without also acknowledging the weight of current events. Our hearts are heavy as we look toward Minnesota, where recent tragedies involving ICE have left families shattered and communities in mourning. These moments remind us that while we seek the "citizenship of heaven," we are still called to stand for mercy and protection for the vulnerable right here on earth.
Last week, we spent some time looking at what Jesus does for us. We talked about how He loves us right where we are, sets us free from the things that bind us, and changes our status from "struggling captives" to "citizens of heaven."
But today, I want to flip the script. I want to talk about what Jesus doesn’t do—the things He actually refuses to do.
I came across something fascinating this week. There’s a specific spot in the Swiss Alps where you can stand with three pieces of wood. If you toss the first piece in one direction, it hits the Danube and flows all the way to the Black Sea. Toss the second piece another way, and it ends up in the North Sea via the Rhine river. Toss the third in a different direction, and it travels the Rhone river out to the Mediterranean.
It is famously known as the "triple watershed" or the "Roof of Europe" because it is the only place on the continent where water (or a piece of wood!) can split off into three different seas via three major river systems.
Think about that. Those three pieces of wood start in the exact same spot, but they end up thousands of miles apart. Why? Because of the direction they were aimed at the very start.
Our lives work the same way. Who we are tomorrow is being decided by the "choices" we make today. Even Jesus lived this out. We know He was divine, but He was also fully human. He didn't take a "short cut" to maturity; He grew through the same stages we do from infant, to adolescence to adulthood. He didn't skip the process of learning, growing physically, or developing social graces. He was aimed in the right direction from the start.
Here is a staggering insight about the life of Jesus.
Hebrews 5:8 NLT Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
Think about that. It doesn’t mean He was ever disobedient; it means His obedience wasn’t just a theory—it was a choice. You can study everything there is to know about a marathon, but you don't truly "learn" the race until your lungs are burning and you choose to keep running. As the Son of God, Jesus always knew what obedience was intellectually. However, there is a difference between knowing the definition of a word and experiencing it. Jesus "learned" obedience by experiencing the physical and emotional weight of staying faithful to God's will while facing temptation, exhaustion, and eventually, the cross.
He chose what to do, He chose to stay faithful to God’s will, and just as importantly, He chose what not to do.
Here are three things Jesus refuses to do.
Jesus refuses to lose His patience with you.
Jesus refuses to kick you while you are down.
Jesus refuses to be an intruder
1. Jesus Refuses to Lose His Patience with You
We love the stories of what Jesus did—healing the sick, raising Lazarus, performing miracles. But look at what He refused to do. Here’s our text for today
Matthew 12:19-20 NIV [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.
Our text says He won't quarrel or cry out, and He won't break a "bruised reed."
Martin Luther once famously said in a moment of frustration, "If I were God and the world treated me the way it treats Him, I’d have kicked the wretched thing to pieces long ago!"
Honestly?
Most of us feel that way sometimes. But Jesus doesn't. He is mercifully patient. Think about the Samaritan woman at the well. She was hiding from her community, carrying a heavy load because of her past.
Jesus didn't start the conversation with a list of her sins. He started by asking for a cup of water.
John 4:7 NIV When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”
The entire conversation with this woman is in John 4:1-40, but here is the point I want to make. Jesus was very patient and stayed in the conversation through her deflections until she was ready to see the truth.
She deflected by bringing up racial tensions
John 4:9 NIV The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
She questioned His physical ability to get water.
John 4:11 NIV “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?
She finally switched to a theological debate about the "proper" place to worship.
John 4:20 NIV Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
Every time she tried to change the subject, Jesus stayed with her and gently redirected her to the heart of the matter.
John 4:23-26 NIV [23] Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. [24] God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” [25] The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” [26] Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
And what happened as a result of Jesus’ patience with her.
John 4:28-30, 39-42 NIV
[28] Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, [29] “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” [30] They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
[39] Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” [40] So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. [41] And because of his words many more became believers. [42] They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
Or look at Peter. After Peter denied Him three times, Jesus didn't show up after the Resurrection to say, "I told you so." He made him breakfast. Read the story about this encounter in John chapter 21.
Peter had denied even knowing Jesus three times after His arrest. After making breakfast for Peter and some other folk, he gave Peter three chances to say "I love you" to heal those three denials.
John 21:15-17 NIV [15] When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” [16] Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” [17] The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
2. Jesus Refuses to Kick You While You’re Down
Let’s Look at Matthew 12:20 again; A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.
Matthew uses the image of a "bruised reed." Picture a stalk of grain in a field that’s been stepped on. It’s hanging by a thread. Most of us would just snap it off and throw it away. But Jesus? He’s the one who props it back up. He refuses to give up on you just because you’re struggling.
The second half of that verse says, "a smoldering wick He will not snuff out."
Back then, people used linen wicks in oil lamps. When the oil ran dry, the flame would disappear and the wick would just smolder and smoke. It’s useless, it smells bad, and the easiest thing to do is just pinch it out.
Maybe that’s how you feel today. Burned out. Like you’re down to your last bit of smoke and the light is almost gone.
The world tends to pile on when we’re weary. But Jesus is the Great Encourager. His favorite phrases weren't "Try harder" or "Do better."
He said things like "Be of good cheer,"
Matthew 9:1-2 NKJV [1] So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. [2] Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven
John 16:32-33 NKJV [32] Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. [33] These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
To those feeling empty or discarded by the world He said "Blessed are you"
Matthew 5:3-12 NKJV [3] “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [4] Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. [5] Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. [6] Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. [7] Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. [8] Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. [9] Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. [10] Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Notice Jesus doesn't say "Blessed are the strong/perfect." He says "Blessed are you" to the very people society considers "bruised reeds."
He said "Peace I leave with you" Even in His own darkest hour, His priority was encouraging His friends. He said this to the disciples just hours before He faced the cross.
John 14:25-27 NKJV [25] “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. [26] But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jesus refuses to discourage the weary. He doesn't want to crush you; He wants to refill your oil. He lifts burdens; He doesn't add to them.
3. Jesus Refuses to Be an Intruder
Finally, there is one other thing Jesus strictly refuses to do: He will not enter where He isn't invited.
He is a Savior, but He is not an intruder. The blessings He offers are available to everyone, but He won't force the door.
There’s a famous painting by Holman Hunt called The Light of the World. It shows Jesus standing knocking at a door covered in vines and weeds. If you look closely at the painting, you’ll notice there is no doorknob on the outside. The door can only be opened from the inside.
Revelation 3:20 NKJV Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Jesus is patient, and He is encouraging, but He is also a gentleman. He stands at the door of your heart and knocks. He pleads with us, He invites us, and He urges us—but He refuses to force His way in.
Conclusion
In the corner of that famous painting, the artist, Holman Hunt, wrote a short prayer in Latin. The prayer simply says, "O, do not pass me by."
That’s the choice for us today. Jesus is waiting with all the patience and encouragement in the world, but the door knob is on your side.
Closing Prayer
"Lord, we are so grateful that You aren’t like us. We’re grateful that when we would have run out of patience, You stayed. When we would have snuffed out the light, You fanned the flame.
Right now, we look at the 'bruised reeds' in this room—the hearts that feel stepped on by life, by the world, or even by their own mistakes. Thank You for being the One who doesn’t break us further, but heals us. We look at those who feel like a 'smoldering wick'—those who are exhausted, burned out, and down to their last bit of hope. Thank You for refusing to kick us while we're down and for offering us Your peace instead.
Jesus, we recognize that You are standing at the door of our hearts right now. You’ve been knocking so patiently. We don't want the vines of busyness or the weeds of pride to keep that door shut anymore.
As we leave this place, help us to be mindful of our choices. Help us to choose the path that leads to You. We open the door. We invite You into our mess, our weariness, and our joy.
Don't pass us by, Lord. Stay with us, change us, and lead us home.
In Your powerful and merciful name we pray, Amen."
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