“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to His disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields.” – Matthew 9:35-38 (NLT)
I can’t imagine what it would’ve felt like for Jesus, being fully God but limited by His physical body, in a moment like this when He was overwhelmed with compassion for the crowds of people who were in front of Him. It would be humanly impossible for Jesus to give the same attention to the crowds of thousands, that He gave to the twelve disciples. But looking out into the sea of faces, He saw their confusion. He saw their desperation for Truth and understanding. He saw their desire to be led. His petition to His disciples reflects the deep sympathy and sorrow that He had for those faces in the crowd that were yet to understand Who He was, and Why He had come.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, “Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in Heaven and on Earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20
As followers of Jesus, we are on mission for the harvest. We’ve been given the instructions of what to do, and I wonder if we truly get it…. if we are a little like those faces in the crowd lulled by our own selfish desires, that we falter to a position that lacks urgency.
Dear God, give us an urgency to share Your Gospel message with all who would listen.
Perhaps there are those right now in our sphere of influence, who have their ears open and ready to surrender their life to Christ, but are in need of someone having the courage to share the Gospel with them?
Dear God, let it be us who has the courage. Let it be us who say, “Whatever you want me to do, Lord!”
There are so many lost souls in our world, desperate for a Saviour. Desperate for a Shepherd. Desperate to know true Love, true Grace, and true Freedom. May we be ready and willing to go wherever God asks, and to speak to whomever He directs us to. May our lives be a reflection of the great love of Jesus, and may we be those who look upon others with compassion, desperate for them to know Jesus. There is a great harvest of souls ready for the people of God to take action.
Dear God, send out more workers, and start with me.
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