The phrase “the smoking flax He will not quench” comes from Matthew 12:20 which says, “A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory.” This verse references Isaiah 42:3 which contains a prophecy about the gentle character of the coming Messiah. To understand the meaning of this phrase, it is important to understand the imagery being used.
The Imagery of Smoking Flax
“Flax” refers to the plant that was used to make linen and lamp wicks. After burning for a while, a flax wick in an oil lamp would begin to smolder and smoke rather than burn brightly. A smoldering flax wick does not provide much useful light. In order to reignite the wick into a bright flame again, the smoking part needed to be pinched off and removed. However, pinching off the wick also risked extinguishing the flame completely.
The prophecy in Isaiah 42:3 uses the smoking flax imagery to refer to a people in a poor, weakened spiritual condition. Like the smoking flax, their light was dimmed. They were like bruised reeds that were bent and would break easily. However, the Messiah would not break off the smoking flax or crush the reed. Rather, He would gently restore them to full brightness.
A Prophecy of the Messiah’s Gentle Care
By quoting this prophecy from Isaiah, Matthew 12:20 emphasizes the gentle and compassionate nature of Jesus’ ministry. He did not come to destroy the weak but to heal, restore, and strengthen them in faith. Though the spiritual light of many of the people Jesus ministered to was dimmed and wavering, He did not respond harshly. He did not try to completely extinguish what little light they had left.
Rather, Jesus cared enough to fan even the smallest flickering spark into a full flame again. He took time for the bruised reeds and smoking flax – those who were spiritually wounded, downtrodden, and struggling in their faith. He strengthened and encouraged them, not breaking them further but lifting them up with compassion and hope.
This aspect of Jesus’ ministry fulfilled the Isaiah prophecy exactly. He did not arrogantly despise the weakness of the common people but showed gracious love to all. He healed the sick, had compassion on the hurting, and brought hope to the spiritually poor and oppressed. He restored those who were like dimly burning wicks into shining lights that would spread the fire of the gospel.
Principles We Can Apply
This beautiful prophecy and its fulfillment reveal key principles that Jesus’ followers are called to exemplify:
- Have compassion, not condemnation, for the spiritually weak.
- Gently nourish struggling faith rather than criticize.
- fan the smallest sparks of spiritual openness into flame.
- Help people shine again who have dimmed in their walk.
- Care more about restoring people than judging them.
- Strengthen those who are like bruised reeds.
- Allow God’s light to shine again in wounded hearts.
Just as Jesus cared more about healing and restoration than judgment, we are called to show that same grace. The prophecy of the smoking wick reminds us not to be harsh toward those struggling with spiritual weakness. Instead, we can fan into flame any smallest glimmer of openness to Christ. By God’s love, even a dimly burning faith can be nurtured into a vibrant light that advances the gospel.
Examples of How Jesus Applied This Principle
Jesus’ ministry provides many examples of how He gently cared for the bruised reeds and smoking flaxes rather than breaking or quenching them. Here are some examples:
- The Woman at the Well (John 4) – This Samaritan woman came to the well in shame and had a history of failed relationships. Still, Jesus met her where she was and fanned the spark of spiritual thirst in her into flames of living water.
- Zacchaeus (Luke 19) – Though despised as a tax collector, Jesus did not judge Zacchaeus but invited Himself to the man’s house. This gesture of love fanned Zacchaeus’s small spark of faith into a blazing fire of repentance and renewal.
- The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8) – The religious leaders wanted to stone her but Jesus stopped them and then showed her grace. This compassion fanned her spark of remorse into an opportunity for a new start.
- Peter after Denying Jesus (John 21) – Peter had failed greatly, but Jesus restored him gently by asking him to affirm his love. This comfort allowed Peter’s faith to burn brightly again.
- Crippled Beggar (Luke 17) – Though weak and helpless, Jesus saw the man’s small spark of faith and fanned it into wholeness and healing.
In all these examples, Jesus cared more about restoring people’s faith than condemning their failures. He strengthened and ignited the faintly burning wicks. This reflects the Spirit of Christ we are all called to follow.
A Pattern for Ministry
The examples of Jesus show that this prophecy applies not just to how He personally ministered but also to the mission of the church. Believers are called to strengthen, not crush, the bruised reeds and smoking flaxes around us. Some key ways we can apply this pattern include:
- Approaching people with grace and compassion rather than judgment.
- Discerning where there may be even small sparks of spiritual openness to fan into flame.
- Encouraging those struggling with doubt or spiritual wounds.
- Calling out the gifts we see in people, not just criticizing their flaws.
- Walking with people patiently as they grow, not demanding instant maturity.
- Sharing God’s love in practical ways with those in need.
- Restoring those who have stumbled back to fellowship.
- Standing up for the oppressed and overlooked.
- Meeting people where they are.
- Listening before speaking.
If we minister in this spirit, we can nurture many bruised reeds into wholeness and fan smoking wicks into vibrant flames for the gospel. Our task is not to judge but to restore. We can allow God to send forth justice to victory as His light shines again through restored people.
A Mindset for the Discouraged
This phrase also offers encouragement to any who feel like bruised reeds or dimly burning wicks in their own spiritual life. Remember that Jesus cares for the weak and struggling. He will not break you or snuff out your flickering faith. When we feel too bruised to stand or our light has dimmed, we can turn to Him.
Jesus can restore us to wholeness and reignite our faith. He is gentle with our failures and weaknesses. Rather than condemning, He fans into flame every small spark of openness to Him. He will not quench even those who are barely smoking in their walk with God but will nurture them. We can rest in His patient grace toward us.
So take heart if your own light has dimmed or feels nearly extinguished. Turn to the compassionate Savior who will not break a bruised reed. His amazing grace restores us to shine brightly for His glory.
Conclusion
The prophecy that Jesus will not break the bruised reed or quench the smoking flax reveals His merciful and restorative heart. He did not come to destroy the weak but to heal them with patient grace. This applies both to how He personally ministered and how we are called to follow His pattern of restoring others. We can fan even the smallest sparks of spiritual openness into flame. We are called to strengthen and encourage, not condemn. And when we feel like bruised reeds or dimly glowing wicks ourselves, we can turn to Jesus. Rather than crushing us in our weakness, He will gently restore us to wholeness. By His grace, we can shine again for God’s glory.