Our scripture this morning is Matthew 9:36-38 (NASB1995).
Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
In the space of just a few verses (Matthew 9:36-10:5) Jesus teaches three important things. He has compassion on us because we are like sheep without a shepherd. He asks us all to pray for workers for the Lord’s harvest, and that we are called to be those workers. This points to loving God, loving neighbor and making disciples.
Jesus used things that were familiar to His listeners of that time like flocks and crops to teach us about God’s kingdom. Like crops and flocks, people need tending as well. Jesus came to show us how to do that and to remind us of our blessing and responsibility from God to act as His stewards.
We are all part of God’s plan for creation, and each of us have gifts to be used in His service. If we want God to act, we need to act with Him. How can you be part of spreading the Gospel today?
Loving Lord, help us to see the bountiful harvest that is waiting for our action. Bless us to be active workers for You. Amen.
