... Matthew 9:35-38 ...
Imagine driving down the road, turning a corner and seeing dozens of cars pulled over with the drivers stranded. Imagine coming up on the scene and seeing many in need. Would you debate whether you have time to stop or whether someone else will do it? At that moment you may feel a tug of compassion. You may feel responsible to do something. From the messy blur you notice specific people....A young mom holding an infant, an elderly man who can barely walk, a well-dressed businessman with a lost expression looking under his hood, a teenage girl crying by her car. Motivated by compassion you would not only want to pull over and help, but you would hope numerous other drivers would take notice and pull over to join the effort as well.
This passage records a similar, but more desperate scene. As Jesus was traveling to cities and villages around the Sea of Galilee, He saw the great need of the people and was overcome by compassion. He not only “pulled over” to help, but also pointed out to His disciples the need for others to pull over and join the effort. Jesus saw a field of people ripe and ready for spiritual harvesting but lacking laborers willing to take on the task. Today’s harvest field is just as ripe. People are without Christ and hurting; many of them are looking for answers and direction. The demand for workers to harvest spiritual fruit from the field of humanity is still a great need.
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God, I give You praise for being the Lord of the harvest. Forgive me for failing to see that people are harassed, helpless, and without a shepherd. Cleanse me from a lack of compassion. You know, O Lord, that the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. Help me to know it, too. Send laborers into the harvest here in Northeast Ohio and beyond. And yes, Lord, send me.
Imagine driving down the road, turning a corner and seeing dozens of cars pulled over with the drivers stranded. Imagine coming up on the scene and seeing many in need. Would you debate whether you have time to stop or whether someone else will do it? At that moment you may feel a tug of compassion. You may feel responsible to do something. From the messy blur you notice specific people....A young mom holding an infant, an elderly man who can barely walk, a well-dressed businessman with a lost expression looking under his hood, a teenage girl crying by her car. Motivated by compassion you would not only want to pull over and help, but you would hope numerous other drivers would take notice and pull over to join the effort as well.
This passage records a similar, but more desperate scene. As Jesus was traveling to cities and villages around the Sea of Galilee, He saw the great need of the people and was overcome by compassion. He not only “pulled over” to help, but also pointed out to His disciples the need for others to pull over and join the effort. Jesus saw a field of people ripe and ready for spiritual harvesting but lacking laborers willing to take on the task. Today’s harvest field is just as ripe. People are without Christ and hurting; many of them are looking for answers and direction. The demand for workers to harvest spiritual fruit from the field of humanity is still a great need.
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- Are you helping with the harvest? Are you an answer to His prayer? Are you praying what He commanded?
- What did Jesus see that moved His heart so deeply?
- What needs do you see around you that stir a similar compassion within your spirit?
- Are you a “worker” who is helping bring in the harvest? Where and how are you currently serving so that you are active in bringing in spiritual fruit?
God, I give You praise for being the Lord of the harvest. Forgive me for failing to see that people are harassed, helpless, and without a shepherd. Cleanse me from a lack of compassion. You know, O Lord, that the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few. Help me to know it, too. Send laborers into the harvest here in Northeast Ohio and beyond. And yes, Lord, send me.
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