Following Jesus: to the broken and the bruised
Passage: Matthew 12:15-21
Preacher: Mark Kingston
Last week we named what we all feel deep down: this world is broken. But God’s plan to heal it doesn’t run through armies or influencers or the big stages of power. It runs through a Servant. Matthew tells us this Servant is Jesus: chosen by God, loved before He’s done a thing, filled with the Spirit and sent, not to punish, but to restore. To bring shalom, peace and healing.
And His way is nothing like we expect...
First, what He won’t do: He won’t join the shouting match. In a world obsessed with noise and platform, He doesn’t waste words trying to win arguments. While others posture, He stoops low beside the hurting. He refuses to be drawn into arguments that distract Him from his purpose
Second, who He refuses to break: a bruised reed, a smouldering wick: people who are fragile, overlooked and written off. Jesus doesn’t toss them aside. He kneels by them and stays long enough to see life return. This isn’t a side project. This is the mission! The real evidence that the Kingdom of God is breaking out among us is that the weak are made strong, the broken and bruised are healed and the fading burn bright again.
Third, He won’t stop until His justice wins. Justice here doesn't mean revenge or “getting even.” God’s justice is all about restoration. It's a "world put right and people made whole" kind of justice. Jesus way may look gentle, but it’s fierce. On the cross, He took the weight that would crush us. In the resurrection, He declared victory over everything that breaks us and would keep us from God and his wholeness. And He won't stop until this healing restoration work is completed!
Fourth, one day his victory will be seen by everyone, everywhere! Matthew and Isaiah tell us that one day every nations will put their hope in His name because they see that He is the only one who can make broken things truly whole again.
So here’s the takeaway for two groups.
If you feel bruised and broken: know that you are central in God’s heart and plan. You’re not an afterthought. You’re His focus and that means you can lift your head, take a slow, steady breath, and rest in the truth that your story isn’t over because he isn't finished yet! Jesus, by His Holy Spirit, is right here with you, holding you, not forgetting you, quietly working in you and for you.
If you know something of God's healing goodness: ask God to nudge you toward someone who needs His help today. Picture it: a warm conversation on a park bench, a meal shared with someone who’s been alone too long, a simple prayer offered with quiet confidence that Jesus is near so anything is possible! This is what Jesus victory looks like: not theory, but flesh-and-blood moments, story after story of broken lives being pieced back together.
This is our mission. Jesus is already at work in our community of Gibsons and he is inviting us to join Him! Let's not miss out!
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Are you tempted to dive into political, relational, or personal arguments (trying to win the point) instead of seeing those debates as distractions from the real call to keep following Jesus as He brings healing and hope to broken people?
Think of the people in your week. Who feels broken and bruised, or nearly burned out? Who might God be nudging you to serve or help? Remember: we don't try to figure this out ourselves - we should ask God to show us what to do, and trust in his power to do it.
If you feel broken or bruised yourself right now, would you ask Jesus to help you, to hold you, and maybe even to bring someone along to walk with you?
What if the most obvious sign God is at work in our church was that people were actually being healed, restored, and made whole again? How would that change what we celebrate, how we pray, and the way we live together?
Can you imagine the town of Gibsons putting their trust in Jesus? If so, what small, Spirit-led steps might we take in daily life to help make that vision real? How could God use you as part of the answer to that prayer?
WATCH THE SERMON
Sorry - we are not able to bring you a video recording of the sermon this week. Please listen to the audio version below instead.
