He Will Not Break a Bruised Reed

Setting and Overview
In contrast to the attacks of his opponents, Jesus does not respond in kind nor as we would expect one to defend himself. Jesus will stand firm and be unintimidated, but he does not seek his own benefit nor seek out conflict ahead of the proper time. As he withdraws, and with many crowds still following after him, Matthew quotes from Isaiah 42 to show how Jesus is fulfilling what Isaiah had prophesied centuries before, and how he is demonstrating for his disciples the model of how we are expected to engage a violent and threatening world.

Exposition
In verse 15 (and in Mark 3:7-12 where we see greater detail), we see Jesus continuing his ministry even as he withdraws. While this certainly would have strengthened his popularity among those following him and seeking out his miracles, Matthew and Mark make clear that Jesus did not seek that popularity. Of course, Matthew wants to make clear that despite Jesus’ reticence for promotion as the Messiah, he certainly was the Messiah, just not the one that the people were expecting. He was, however, the Messiah that the Old Testament pointed to, and so Matthew here refers to Isaiah 42 and declares his words to be fulfilled in Christ. Those words prophesied about one who would not seek promotion, but that is not all of what was fulfilled in Jesus.
Much of the language of verse 18 is similar to Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:17 and his transfiguration in 17:5, although in declaring Jesus to be a servant rather than son, it is emphasizing his humility (Matthew 11:29.) Despite that humility he will accomplish great things, even proclaiming justice to all nations, but doing so with an approach far from what they expected of the Messiah. Instead of accomplishing his goals through force of personality, verbal bullying, or self-promotion, Isaiah pointed to one who ministered in gentleness. Beyond just avoiding earthly pragmatic approaches, Jesus provided an unparalleled example of compassion and consideration. A bruised reed and a smoldering wick were apt pictures of things considered to be unfixable, unusable, and easily replaceable. Jesus however does not regard such people as beyond his salvation and restoration, even though everyone else would. Even more remarkable, that gentleness is still shown in the midst of opposition and in connection with his power. He does deliver justice, and he does bring hope, and he does so with a power that cannot be opposed and not just to Israel but to all of the nations.

Examination and Application
It is this picture of Jesus that we need to both proclaim and reflect. Jesus offers hope to the hopeless (Luke 4:18-19) and he restores the weak and the helpless (Matthew 11:4-5.) In those works, we see his gentleness in action (Matthew 11:29, 12:18-21.) Likewise, we should also be demonstrating Christ-like gentleness as we offer hope to the hopeless (Luke 14:12-14) and restore the weak and helpless (I Thessalonians 5:14.) These should especially be true in our churches. We must eagerly bring in the sick, the helpless, and the rejected, but we also must do our work in participating in their restoration. In I Corinthians 5-6, Paul reminded the church that they and we have a job to do in correcting and restoring our brothers and sisters who fall into sin, and he made the eternal stakes very clear, but he also reminds them that they to were once just like those who are enslaved to sin. Likewise, we must be willing and ready to share the Gospel with anyone who God may bring to us and also ready to disciple, painfully even if necessary, those in need of restoration and healing. We must also be ready to do all of it with the gentleness of Jesus.