Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. 

                                                                                                         Matthew 9:36

Today: Read Matthew 9

People are hurting in the world today. People are confused and fearful about the future. People are suffering from addictions, broken relationships, and all kinds of physical ailments. Sometimes people dig themselves into predicaments that they are helpless to solve. And when they are in the bottom of the pit they don’t need a shovel, they need a hand. This is where the church stands at the ready. Our passage comes from the very end of today’s chapter and perfectly illustrates an action plan for every believer to positively impact society by emulating Christ.

Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

                                                                                                                    Matthew 9:35 

First, notice that Jesus was going. He wasn’t sitting in one location waiting for people to come to Him (although they did). He was in motion, traveling “through all the cities and villages.” As Jesus traveled, He was engaged in three activities: teaching, proclaiming, and healing. Teaching in the synagogues is the equivalent of having Bible study groups today. Unless the church is prepared to teach people, growth cannot and will not take place. Just like physically working out, spiritual fitness doesn’t just happen. It takes desire, dedication, and diligence. Neglecting Bible study only leads to spiritual atrophy.

In addition to teaching, the church should be proclaiming good news. The gospel is good news and it is for the world. Redemption is possible and the church is responsible for preaching this message to all creation (Mark 16:15). Often the church is thought of as only dealing with spiritual matters (the spiritual man). But we are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and as such, we are individuals with different facets to our existence. Taking care of our minds and bodies is equally as important as spiritual matters. The church can pray for the healing of an individual, but should also assist the people in being proactive with their health by making the connection between physical and spiritual well-being. Training people to work out their minds and bodies can greatly reduce the possibility of depression and physical disease.

Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. 

                                                                                                         Matthew 9:36

Of course, the church will only engage in these actions when they authentically have compassion for others. When Jesus saw that the people were distressed and dispirited, He didn’t scold them, tell them where they went wrong, or chastised them (He reserved that for the religious folks). Jesus met the people’s deepest needs because he felt compassion for them. I find it truly amazing that God acted on our behalf, by sending Jesus, rather than leaving us without hope. Because God is love, we should demonstrate love (1 John 4:10-11). Because God is merciful, we should show mercy (Luke 6:36). And because God cares for the world, so should we (John 3:16-17).

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”                              

                                                                                                   Matthew 9:37

So the next verse, although true, should perplex us. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” simply means that God desires to do a great work in the world yet there are few believers that are willing to go and proclaim the good news. We have been saved from all of our sin, blessed with all of the riches of God’s blessings, declared heirs to God’s kingdom, and given eternal life through the Holy Spirit. Yet in spirit of it all, we often fail to tell other people that they can be saved as well. This is not a guilt trip, simply an opportunity for you and I to ask ourselves, “Are we doing what God has called us to do in expanding His kingdom to a hurting, distressed, and dispirited world?” I think it’s a fair question. 

“Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

                                                                                                      Matthew 9:38

Finally, while evaluating our own participation in kingdom work, the church is to pray for God to convict believers to step out of their comfort zones and follow God by faith. Are you fulfilling your God-given purpose? Would you be willing to step out in faith? Why not start by sharing this site with a friend!