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Matthew 9:35-38, 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.”

We continue to see Jesus’ authority through both his words and his deeds in chapter 9.  There are teachings and miracles, a brush with the Pharisees, and some reinterpretation of fasting.  Then, the chapter ends with today’s focus verses. 

Jesus spent a great deal of time going from town to town, teaching, healing, and demonstrating to people what life under the Kingdom of God is like.  Through his actions, through the authority he demonstrated, and through his powerful words, he was giving people a glimpse at a new way of doing life, the way God always intended his world to be.  In God’s Kingdom, there is no illness so Jesus heals.  In God’s Kingdom, there is grace, truth, and clarity of purpose, so Jesus taught with authority and wisdom.  Jesus truly embodied the Kingdom of God in everything he did.  He demonstrated love and compassion but he also offered direction, guidance, and a new standard for what God requires.

The Scripture says that he saw the people and he felt compassion for them because they were sheep without a shepherd.  Think about sheep – they are totally vulnerable without a shepherd to care for them, guide them, and provide protection.  Goats, who we often think of as similar to sheep, tend to do fine on their own.  But sheep, not so much.  They are helpless and vulnerable to predators.  Jesus is saying that he looked at the people and realized how vulnerable and defenseless they were.  They needed guidance and divine protection.  Without it, they were doomed.  Friends, without Jesus, we are all doomed.

The text closes with the very famous Scripture about the harvest.  The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few so ask the Lord of the harvest to send more workers.  Of course, Jesus is speaking about the people harvest.  There are so very many people who need to know about Jesus Christ.  They need the guidance of the divine shepherd and they don’t even know it.  Someone must tell them.  Jesus is counting on his followers to do the work of sharing the Gospel.  And yet, how often it feels like there just aren’t enough people willing to go and share, go and tell, go and proclaim, go and harvest.  We need more workers.

This really got me thinking.  Are you one of God’s workers?  Are you willing to help with the harvest?  Why or why not? 

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, We need more workers.  We need more people who are willing to get out of their comfort zones, to take risks, to be part of the harvest.  Where we are weak, fill us with your strength.  Where we are scared, fill us with your courage.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.