A Conduit of Grace

Chapter 35 of the book of the prophet Isaiah is a glowing, poetic description of the deliverance of Israel. Among all the wonders predicted, it is even mentioned that there will be “a marsh for the reed and papyrus.” Reeds seem to get special attention in the scriptures. The infant Moses was placed in a basket among the reeds; Job asks, “Can the reeds grow without water?”; God’s servant, Jesus, is described as one who shall not break a bruised reed; and when Jesus was on the cross, a sponge soaked in vinegar was lifted to his lips on a reed.

The reed was used by the Jewish people as a symbol of justice and also was associated with power, authority, and legitimacy. Both Moses and Jesus were chosen by God as legitimate, authoritative leaders who would bring justice to the people, so it’s not surprising that reeds were associated with them. However, reeds have another characteristic of interest; their stems are hollow, so they can be used as pipes and as part of other musical instruments.

Both Moses and Jesus were empty of ego, so God’s words, intentions, and grace could flow through them. They were a conduit for God’s message and God’s action in the world. Thus the reed can remind us not to be so full of ourselves that God has no space to work within us for our own good and the good of others. We need to allow ourselves to flow with the mystery of our life in God.