Partners in Ministry

Matthew 9:35-38

35 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.”

A. Be in the business of ministry
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.

B. Assess and Address
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

C. Identify the Problem
He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.

D. Pray for more workers in the field
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

This verse is talking a lot more about missions and helping those in need than it is about making more Christians. Jesus is looking out on the poorest of the poor. Their problems are huge and who is helping them? The wealthy religious leaders? No they are too busy following their trivial laws, ironically ignoring the greatest law, thinking that they will bring the Kingdom of God. Are the Great political leaders helping? No, their taxes are what cripples these people and bring them into poverty. Jesus sees this and understands and even has pity on the people’s problems. He knows that the workers are few so he calls His followers, as lowly as they, may be to work this harvest. Not by creating more disciples of Jesus necessarily (although that may be the next result) but by feeding them, healing them, and responding to their needs. The harvest is now out of the hands of those who should have been doing it in the first place and now it is in the hands of Jesus’ followers. It is our task to respond now. It is our job. The workers are few so who will step up to the plate? Why not us?