Our scripture this morning is Matthew 9:35-38.
Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”
Jesus shows us a ministry of action. He goes to the people, not expecting them to come to Him (although they often do). He teaches and heals them. Jesus sees the image of God in everyone, and the potential we have as God’s children.
Jesus knows that we are frail and foolish on our own, “like sheep without a shepherd”. He came to be our Good Shepherd, leading us to salvation and eternal life. However, in His mercy and wisdom, He asked us to be part of the process.
He likens the world to a field ready for harvest. He sees the problem of scarcity, not in the crop but in the number of workers willing to do the task: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few”. Jesus called all of us to a new life in Him and to be His disciples, sharing the Good News everywhere.
Loving Lord, thank You for the gift of Your son that we might be saved. Help us to do as He commanded, to make disciples of all the world. Amen.
