A Time to Gather (Matt 9:35-38)

Matthew 9:35-38   35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness.  36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;  38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." 


Why was Jesus doing what he did on earth?  Why did he teach and do miracles? Because he had compassion for the harassed and helpless.  They have been harassed by religion that only looks good, but has no depth.  A religion that is oppressive instead of freeing its followers to love others.  They have been harassed by an occupying invader.  They have been harassed by accepting sin as the best they can do.  Many things harass humanity.  Most of our own doing.  And we are helpless trying to live in old ways that don't work.  On our own, we know of no other way.

But Jesus teaches a new way.  And he wants to gather humanity into a new community - the kingdom of God where a new "race" of people who are filled with his spirit will live.  They will demonstrate a different way of living where they will live as mutual servants to each other and to God.  A community where all live in abundance.

Jesus says there is a lot of work to be done to gather people into this community - and more laborers are needed.  Out of his compassion for those who are harassed and helpless, he tells his followers to pray that God will send more laborers.  There simply aren't enough.  Pray with me today... that God will send more laborers.


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The other gospels weigh in....

Mark 6:34   34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 

Luke 10:2   2 He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.