Carol Swenson
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Sermon Outlines on the Gospels
Straight and Broken Sticks
Matthew 11:7, 12:20
Introduction
There are two types of sticks in the world—straight ones and curved or broken ones. Likewise, there are two types of people in the world straight ones and broken ones.
In Matthew chapters 11 and 12 there are two engaging uses of the Greek word kalamos (reed). John the Baptist was not a reed swayed by the wind (11:7) and Jesus came not to break a bruised reed (12:20).
I. Straight Sticks (11:7).
A. Jesus preached a sermon about John.
1. John had born witness to Jesus. Now Jesus bears witness to John.
2. This does not mean that John was rude, belligerent, obnoxious, or just a fusser.
3. It does mean that when push came to shove John stood up straight and tall and told Herod that he had taken the wrong wife. He took a moral stand.
B. What would Jesus preach about you?
1. Is your moral stand clear to all who hear you?
2. Do you wait to see which way the political wind is blowing before taking a stand?
3. Are you willing to go to prison like John for your convictions?
II. Broken Sticks (12:20).
A. This is the longest quote from the Old Testament in Matthew’s Gospel.
1. It concerns the basic character of the Messiah.
2. It is from Isaiah 42:1-4.
3. It is what God the Father says about God the Son.
B. This is one of the most needed things in our world—compassion.
1. This does not mean that Jesus is soft on sin or wimpish on evil.
2. It does mean that Jesus learned how to take people from where they were to where they needed to be by the power of love.
3. Jesus displayed a strong tenderness with broken folks.
Conclusion: The Real Challenge
The difficulty comes in knowing when to be tough and when to be tender, when to be a Boenerges and when to be a Barnabas, when to be a John the Baptist and when to be a physician binding wounds. To do this takes great wisdom, sensitivity, and earnest prayer. Is possible to be both tough and tender at the same time? We really do have a word for when confrontation and compassion meet, for where justice and mercy embrace. We call it Calvary. It is not only the center our salvation; it is also the basis of how we do ministry in Jesus’ name.
Illustrations
Being tough and tender at the same time. One night we were having trouble getting my ten year old to go to bed and stay. She had come to the living room several times after she had been specifically told to stay in her bed. She was quickly becoming successful at making her parents “half a step ahead of a fit.” Finally, my wife went to bed. I continued to grade papers. When I finished I shut the lights down and headed to the bedroom. All of a sudden here came Annie. She said, “Daddy, you’re not going to bed are you? If you go to bed I’ll be the only one awake, and I’ll be scared.” I had just about had it. I blew up. “Young lady,” I said, “You are going to bed, and you are going right now.” I had been a reed not shaken by the wind. But I didn’t feel very good about it. I looked down on this frightened ten year old. Her bottom lip quivered, and she began to cry. I thought for a moment and said, “You are going to bed, and you are going right now. But, Mommy already went to bed. If I go to bed now, I’ll be lonely because Mommy is already asleep. Would you go to bed with me?” She smiled, and I winked at her. We walked to the bedroom, I tucked her in between my wife and me, and in about two minutes I heard a precious little snore. I thought to myself the law was satisfied—she went to bed, and she went when I told her. But she also fell asleep in her Dad’s arms. I looked heavenward and thanked the Father that He found a way to be tough and tender all at the same time.
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