Dear Friends,
We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk. We give thanks to Rev. Dr Linda Stargel for writing this devotional.
You are welcome to share this and include it in your church newsletters if you wish; we just ask that you please give credit to NTC and the author. Thank you!
Matthew 9:35-10:8
9 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on 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 workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
Devotional
Perhaps for the first time in the New Testament, Jesus declares that he needs more people to carry out his mission. Despite his power and authority, the work of the kingdom is not accomplished apart from human participation. This should not surprise us. Throughout Scripture, God works through people—partnering with Abraham to bless the nations, calling Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt, accepting Isaiah’s offer “Here I am, send me,” and raising up countless others to participate in his redemptive mission.
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus has already described the message of the kingdom. In Matthew 8-9, his disciples have witnessed his healing ministry, motivated by compassion. Now, looking at the crowds, he sees people who are “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt 9:36).
At this particular moment in history, God’s prevenient grace has been preparing hearts to respond. He is not just looking for shepherds but for an abundance of harvest workers. The harvest was ready and abundant, but there were too few labourers to gather it. So Jesus tells his disciples, “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matt 9:38)
As a young university student, attending my first missionary meeting, I heard this passage read aloud. In my heart, I quietly raised my hand and said, “Send me.” I wanted to serve Jesus. I sometimes wonder whether the disciples felt something similar as they prayed this prayer. After all, in the very next chapter, the ones praying for workers become the workers Jesus sends.
Over the years, I have come to realise that this prayer must never cease. The harvest is still plentiful, and Jesus keeps calling people with different gifts and abilities into his service. Our motivation is simple: we have freely received the good news of the gospel, and so we freely give it away to others (Matt 10:8). This is a timeless call to generosity and grace as we share unconditionally with others.
May we continue to pray for more workers for the harvest. And as we pray, may we remain willing for Jesus to answer that prayer through us.
Prayer
Gracious Father—who keeps drawing people in—may you send more people to welcome in those who are responding. May you also give us resilience and courage as we attentively wait for your guidance and direction. In Christ’s name. Amen