The need for workers

Posted on by Dave

In Matthew 9 Jesus tells His disciples about the need for workers to go out in to the harvest field. It says…

Matthew 9:35-38 NLT – 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. [36] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. [38] So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

In this passage three things jump out at me as I read it.

1. Jesus modelled what His workers should do

We see that Jesus travelled around the region preaching, teaching and healing. He went to where the people were and met their needs, He even healed their diseases. This echoes Matthew 4:23-25. For me this shows me that we need to be out in our towns and regions doing the work that Jesus did. Jesus gave us a great example.

2. Jesus had compassion on the crowds

We see in the Gospels that Jesus always had compassion for the people where He saw large crowds. I verse 36 He likened them to sheep without a shepherd. We see in the Bible (see Ezekiel 34) God describes His people as sheep and that He wants to be their Shepherd. For us today we need to introduce people to our Shepherd Jesus. The one who cares for us, feeds us and binds up our wounds.

3. Jesus asks us to pray for workers

Jesus finishes the passage with a need and a request. He says the harvest of people is huge, but there are not many workers to bring it in. He then asks us to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers. Many times when we pray for a need we find that God softens our hearts and then calls us to help. So when you pray, be prepared that God may call you.

Reading this passage afresh today has reminded me of the great harvest of people out there who need to meet Jesus. It also reminded me of what we need to do. We need to follow Jesus’ example and be out there preaching, teaching and healing. We also have to pray for workers to bring in the harvest with the compassion of Jesus.

Blessings,
Dave