If there is ever an Old Testament Scripture that best describes the coming Jesus, the Messiah, and His work on the earth, it is Isaiah 42:1-7. If there is a portion of scripture that has most shaped the work of Union Rescue Mission and my own philosophy of ministry it is also found here, and in Matthew 12:18-21, where it is repeated, straight from the mouth of Jesus himself!
Notice the underlined words!

Isaiah 42:1-7 (ESV)
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

Before Jesus appeared on the scene, the “bruised reeds” and “smoldering wicks” of the world were often broken, snuffed out, and discarded. Jesus, the righteous Messiah, changed all of that. He is the reason we do the work that we do at Union Rescue Mission. We provide a second, even 3rd, and 4th chances to “bruised reeds” and “smoldering wicks”, and we do it in the name of Jesus.

How might you get involved in following in Jesus’ footsteps this Advent Season and doing the same?