A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

Matthew 12:20

A “bruised reed” is a person who is broken by sin and cast down. He needs healing, peace, and comfort.

Jesus does not threaten with hell those who are broken and sick of sin. He declares unto them that the judgment of God has come, but not against them! God will deliver them because judgment will be meted out against the Son.

The gospel should reflect Who Jesus is. His character while here on earth is how the gospel should be presented. He didn’t threaten a single sin-sick soul with hell. He bound them up and encouraged them.

The gospel is not a warning that judgment is coming. It is a declaration that the judgment has been made and the elect are justified in Christ. And if God has justified them, who can lay anything to their charge (Romans 8:33)?

The gospel is a message of victory!

The gospel preacher should preach about a victorious Jesus for this is our only true source of comfort.

 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.

Isaiah 40:1-2