Matthew 9:35-38
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching 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.”
Reflection
When Jesus saw the crowds and realized their physical and spiritual condition he had compassion upon them. When we look at the world and see the brokenness and spiritual desolation that surrounds us on all sides what is our response? Are we disgusted? Are we repelled? Are we frustrated? Are we angry? Are we hopeless? There is a full range of responses that we can have and experience. However, when Jesus looked upon the lost and broken masses he felt compassion. Do we feel compassion for those who are wandering in a spiritual wilderness? If we do, that compassion should motivate us to reach out to those who don’t know Jesus.
Jesus told his disciples that there was a great harvest. He meant that there were many people who were ready to respond to His message of hope and healing. Jesus told his disciples that they should pray for God to raise up people to carry that message of hope and healing to those who were ready to hear and receive. That’s why we need to be open to change in the church. As workers who are called to share the gospel we need to be ready to present that gospel in any form that will reach those who need Jesus’ hope and healing.
Are you willing to be a worker that goes into the world to share Jesus’ gospel so that a great harvest for the Lord can be brought in?
Are you willing to change your mind about what the church should be in order to reach more people for Christ?
