Matthew 9:35-38
“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
I love this passage of scripture because in it we see the four-fold aspect of Christ’s ministry which, I believe is a pattern for each one of us as believers to follow.
First, in verse 35, we see Christ’s mission – He went out, He taught in their synagogues, He proclaimed the good news, and He healed every disease and sickness. Likewise, we are also to go out, and as we are going, proclaim the good news of the gospel of Christ. Now, what that process looks like will be different for each one of us. Why? Because God has made each one differently. We have differing gifts, talents, abilities and passions that are unique to us. But we each are still to go.
Secondly, we see Christ’s motivation: He was moved with compassionwhen He saw the crowds. He didn’t see number, but individuals with individual needs. Likewise, we don’t have to look very far without realizing that there needs all around us – at home, at work or in our neighborhoods. We then are to use our gifts in meeting those needs.
Thirdly, we sense Christ’s calling that was the foundation for His ministry. He knew His Father had sent Him for this very purpose – to teach, preach, heal, suffer, die and rise again. This motivated Him to do what He was presently doing namely, the meeting of needs and gathering the harvest. Christ has called us to meet needs as well. The question is, will I heed the call to reach out and meet those needs.
Lastly, we see Christ’s source – a total reliance on His Father through prayer. Even our Lord, Himself realized His need to pray. A spiritual work requires a spiritual walk and complete dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This comes through time spent with the Father in prayer and in His Word.
And so, our mission is people. What motivates us is our love for Him. He has called us to this end and may we do so through the power that comes through total reliance on Him through prayer.
-Pastor Buz