Many of us would like to be able to do more than we are doing to serve the Lord. In Matthew 9:35-38, as Jesus ministered, He gave us a principle that will help us as we try to spread the gospel to other places.
First, the conduct of Jesus in vs. 35 is noteworthy. It says, “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” Jesus set the example. He did all that He could. He traveled. He taught. He preached. It is important that we do all that we can to spread the good news of the Lord Jesus. Not all of us can do all of these things, but we are responsible to do what we can.
Second, the compassion of Jesus in vs. 36 gives much food for thought. It reads, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” Jesus cared about the spiritual condition of those He met. They were as sheep having no shepherd. He wanted to see them come to Himself. We will not be effective unless we have compassion on those around us who do not know the Savior.
Third, Jesus made the comment in vs. 37 that there is a great harvest of souls who need a Savior. He said, “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.” There are many that could come to Christ, but there are so few laborers. What a tragedy! There are so many people who want to hear the gospel in the world but there are so few Christians who really care to spread the message. As long as this irony exists, people will die in lost conditions.
Fourth, the command of Jesus in vs. 38 is that we pray. It states, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Because the harvest is great and the laborers are few, we can pray that the Lord would call laborers into His harvest. When we do this, we are multiplying our service and working to increase the number of laborers. The Lord’s work will not get done with less than ten percent of the Christians in the world actively teaching others. That is just all there is to it — now get out and do it!
Kyle Campbell
