1. Manna
We are thankful to Prof. Punthura Aruldasan for sharing this write up “A Bruised Reed.... A Broken Heart”written by her. Prof. Punthura Aruldasan worked as Assistant Professor of English in Sarah Tucker College, Tirunelveli. Obeying God's call to serve in Dohnavur Fellowship, Tirunelveli, she resigned her job in 1983. Dohnavur Fellowship is a home for children in danger started by Sis. Amy Carmichael. God has been using her in various departments among teenagers and adults to make them grow in Christ. She is interested in evangelistic work, music, etc. and is waiting to do more for Christ in whatever capacity the Lord chooses. She needs your prayers for good health and opportunity to serve Him.
“A Bruised Reed.... A Broken Heart”
In the journey of life we go through hills and valleys, through bright as well as dark days. The Lord has a word of cheer to all who are broken in heart, all who undergo painful experiences. “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smouldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness He will bring forth justice.” Isaiah.42:3
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In the Bible, people who were in bitterness of soul, people who were broken in heart wept at the Lord’s feet. They poured out their heart’s grief to the loving Lord and were comforted. Hannah was deeply hurt by her rival Peninnah as she was childless. Peninnah constantly provoked her and wounded her by insults. So she wept bitterly in the presence of God in the Temple at Shiloh. She vowed to give the God-given child to serve the Almighty God throughout his life. God answered her prayer and Hannah gave the little Samuel to God’s service fulfilling her promise. King Hezekiah who was suffering from a serious illness wept bitterly to God to heal him as the Lord sent word through the prophet Isaiah that he would die. Hezekiah pleaded to God as he was faithful before Him. God granted his request and he was healed completely and lived for fifteen more years. God said. “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; I will heal you...I will add fifteen years to your life.” 2 Kings.20: 5,6. “ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” He comforts and answers all who plead in tears.
There were people who shed tears of sorrow when they lost their loved ones. David and his men wept bitterly until they had no strength when their wives, children and livestock were carried away by their enemies. “David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 1Samuel.30:4. “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him.” But David who was already going through pain as he was like an outcast, wandering in the desert and enemies’ territory. “found strength in the Lord his God.” The Lord helped him to overtake the raiding party of enemies and recover all that they lost. He brought everything back along with the plunder from the enemies. The Lord sees our tears and comes to our aid when we go through trials and suffering.
Our compassionate Lord Jesus could not tolerate the sight of tears of sorrowful people. When he saw the widow of Nain, weeping and walking behind the coffin of her only son, His heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry”. Then He went up and touched the coffin and raised up the young man alive. He did the same in Jairus’ house where the twelve year old girl had died and people were crying. He asked them to stop wailing and raised up the girl alive. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha whom Jesus loved. Although He was told about his illness He delayed going there. After four days, when He saw the sisters and others weeping, He was troubled in spirit and “Jesus wept.” Then He went to the tomb, prayed to the Father to glorify His name and called out loudly, “:Lazarus, come out”. The young man came out alive and people praised God and believed in Jesus. Jesus Christ is “a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering.” Hence, He does the impossible for His glory. He said to Martha, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies.” John.11:25. The Lord raised up Dorcas through the prayer of the apostle Peter as many widows were crying for her. Acts.9:39. The Lord Jesus still reigns performing miracles through the fervent prayers of His children.
Finally, we see the tears of repentance which transforms a man totally. King David who walked close to God fell into temptation and sinned against God committing adultery and murder in the case of Bathsheba and Uriah. When Nathan pointed out his sin, he shed tears of repentance and wrote Psalm.51. It is still useful to many who repent of their sins. When the Lord took away the first son born to Bathsheba, David accepted God’s punishment. God forgave David and made Bathsheba’s son Solomon as his successor. The Lord forgave Peter after his denial as he shed tears of repentance. He was broken-hearted, a bruised reed and was ready to go back to his fishing profession. Jesus sent a personal message of His resurrection to Peter (Mark.16:7), met him personally and then challenged him publicly to “feed His lambs and sheep.” On the day of Pentecost, when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter stood up and boldly testified to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the fullness of His Holy Spirit. He became the pillar of the Church just as the Lord said when He walked with them in the earth..
We have a compassionate, forgiving Lord Jesus who understands and sympathizes with us in our pain and sorrows. He is always near to wipe our tears of pain, suffering, sorrows and sins. His forgiving love is seen in Calvary. He says, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.” “ We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet without sin.” Hebrews.4:15. He promises “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Hebrews.13:5. ”The Lord is close to the broken
hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm.34:18. Let’s pour our hearts to the Lord Jesus and let His peace reign in our hearts! “Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.”
Jesus carried the cross to Calvary, and the soldiers forced Simon form Cyrene to carry the cross ? what is the spiritual meaning of this sign/thing ?
Simon was not a disciple he was forced? Jesus would have carried it alone , they could have asked anyone form his disciples ,friends relatives to carry the cross why Simon where he was no where related ?
I am not arguing , it has got a great spiritual meaning . I have refereed this to many the answers where
1) Simon was healthy so he was asked to carry the cross for Jesus
2) Jesus was tired and hence Simon was made to carry the cross
3) Jesus wants the burden to be shared
But it has something more to it
With Best Wishes
Dr. Paul Prathap Jayaraj Ph.D.
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