The Beginning of Outreach

35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:35-38)

Thoughts: While this passage comes at the end of chapter 9, it really begins a new shift or chapter in Matthew in which the disciples are taught to minister.  9:35 is almost the exact same as Matthew 4:30- a marker saying that a new stage of ministry in those places is happening.
   The passage really finds its heart in 9:36- Jesus saw the crowds and their needs.  They were like shepherdless sheep and like a field waiting for harvest with no one to bring it in.  Jesus did not just see bodies of people- he peered into their souls.  He saw their restlessness and their need to respond to God.  He sees the same today.  He sees our lack of peace and epidemic of depression and discontent- despite being in a consumer oriented world.  The drug and alcohol abuse of our day shows again a lack of peace. We need to see the needs of people around us too.   The Greek here for "harassed" is literally "wearied"; "Helpless" is literally "cast away."  Jesus wants to real us back in where we may be in the safe harbor of His peaceful love.
     The solution to a full harvest and not enough workers is not to go out and organize a leadership program with great goals.  It is to ask the Lord of the harvest for help.  He will call the right people in the right time in the right way.  In America, we are often quick to organize and slow to pray- acting like we are lord of the harvest.  Thursday is National Day of Prayer.  We should pray that God will raise up new and energetic leaders for His work to bear fruit for Him.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your compassion.  Have mercy and raise up workers in your vineyard- in your church.