They
were harassed and helpless
Scripture:
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in
their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every
disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they
were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to
his disciples, “The
harvest is plentiful
but the workers are few. Ask
the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest
field.” Matthew 9:35-38
Observation:
In this passage, we see the life of Jesus as
an itinerant preacher, going through all the towns and villages, visiting the
synagogues, preaching, teaching and healing. We should note that the Lord went
to both the towns and villages. His mission was to reach everyone whether young
or old, city dwellers or village folk. Today, it is the same. God is concerned
with saving people everywhere, in the cities, in the villages, even in the
jungles.
Now wherever Jesus went, the crowds of
people had one thing in common. They were harassed and helpless, like sheep
without a shepherd. Jesus had compassion on them and told his disciples, the
harvest is plentiful. There is an important lesson for us here. When people are
harassed and helpless, therein lies great opportunity for them to be saved, and
this is consistent with the Beatitudes where Jesus taught “Blessed are the poor
in spirit for theirs is the kingdom
of Heaven kingdom
of God
The second thing Jesus then said was that
the workers are few. The workers particularly referred to here are the
harvesters, those who bring in the crop. There are many workers who perhaps
plant seeds and water the plants, but somehow the harvesters are hard to come
by. It is not hard to show some kindness to colleagues and be a good testimony,
but to actually engage a friend and challenge them to accept Christ as Lord and
Savior is something few are willing or able to do well.
Seeing that the workers are few, are we to
conscript workers from the church, and force or coerce our members to fulfill
the great commission by hook or by crook. Without the right heart, or if a
person is not ready, it is not easy to be a harvester. What did Jesus say then?
Ask God to send out workers into his harvest field.
When we pray, Lord, send out workers, what
happens? We, in fact, acknowledge that the role of the harvester is a calling
from God. It must begin with God. As we pray, would the Lord call us too to be
a harvester? Quite certainly, He might, when the time is right for us. Would we
be reluctant like Moses, and ask God to send someone else? Would we be overcome
by our fears of rejection and ridicule? The Lord reassures us that He will give
us the words to speak, like He did for Moses.
Application:
Remember that God loves everyone, rural folk
or city folk, young or old, male or female. Remember that the harvest is
especially plentiful when people are most in need. Look out for opportunities
like that when we can show people how our God helps us. Pray for the Lord to
send workers into His field. By recognizing that God is the originator of the
calling, we wait for His guidance to see if He will call us in that particular
area. At the same time, our prayer strengthens and confirms the calling of
those the Lord calls.
Prayer
I praise You, Heavenly Father, for Your
great love for all of us, young or old, male or female, rural or city folk. You
love us all like Your children and it is Your will that none should perish but
should come to salvation in Jesus Christ. Give me a new heart I pray, that
looks to offer those in need a helping hand. Help us recognize opportunities
where we may bring Your salvation to those who yearn for it. Send forth workers
into Your field, Heavenly Father. Prepare even me, I pray, O Lord, if it is
Your will to call me. Speak through me, work through me. Let me be Your vessel.
In Jesus name, Amen
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