The Bruised Reed (4)

Chapter 4 explores the heart of Christ in not quenching the “smoking flax.” Sibbes gives two reasons. First, the spark is from heaven and “kindled by His own Spirit.” Second, “it tends to the glory of his powerful grace in his children.”

I found interesting the following comparison of Christ’s nature versus Man’s nature as it relates to a weak spark.

Man for a little smoke will quench the light. Christ, we see, ever cherishes even the least beginnings. How he bore with the many imperfections of his poor disciples! If he did sharply check them, it was in love, and that they might shine the brighter. Can we have a better pattern to follow than this from him by whom we hope to be saved?

This pastoral care espoused by Sibbes yields this further statement.

It would be a good contest amongst Christians, one to labour to give no offence, and the other to labour to take none. The best men are severe to themselves, tender over others.