THE CALL FOR MORE LABOURES.

Matthew 9:35-38.

Matthew 9:35–38 (ESV)

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Context of the passage: Jesus has been performing miracles and healing people of all kinds of illnesses. We can see Jesus do few things in this chapter, 1. He heals the blind and mute, forgives, is seen as a friend of sinners by eating with those considered as an worthy. He calls Matthew and He casts the out the demons from the man who was possessed. Just like the previous three verses,

PURPOSE: Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah and King who fulfills God’s promises in the Old Testament. He is the one God has chosen to usher in the kingdom of Heaven. He has come to save and restore humanity to the relationship with God starting with Israel and moving to the wide world.

32, As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

(35 Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good News of the Kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness.

In verse 35 Matthew summarizing the ministry of Jesus. Preaching, teaching and healing.

36, When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

So when Jesus looks at the crowds, He is moved because He realizes that the people had problems not physical problems but spiritual problems. He then looks at them with a Compassionate heart.

ἐλεέω (eleeō). vb. to have mercy, to have compassion. The basic meaning of this verb has to do with having pity or helping a person in difficult circumstances. It can be used to describe displays of mercy and compassion by God and humans.

Note: Compassion makes one look at a person who does not know Christ and be concern about their spiritual poverty.

Question: Why did Jesus look at the crowd with compassion? because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

(harassed)This word means to be tormented, to be distressed, to be tossed, to be exhaust with labor, to be afflicted.

Helpless: means to throw with a sudden motion, throw down, to be scattered.

shepherd. Literally, a person who herds sheep; can refer by extension to various kinds of leaders, including a church leader who protects church members from danger, feeds their souls, and keeps them within the safekeeping of Christ’s dominion and reign.

Holman New Testament says this

“In the NT, shepherd (poimēn) is used primarily with respect to Jesus, drawing heavily on the function and character of a shepherd and the image of a shepherd presented in the OT. He thus sets the pattern for a shepherd leader.

In character, a shepherd (poimēn) should be compassionate, caring (Matt 9:36), and should know the sheep intimately (John 10:14).

In function, a shepherd (poimēn) should create a safe place for the sheep (Matt 9:36), keep the sheep calm (Mark 14:27), separate sheep and goats (Matt 25:32), teach (Mark 6:34), protect through self-sacrifice (John 10:11), persevere in struggle (John 10:12), seek the lost sheep (John 10:16), and give oversight to his sheep (1 Pet 2:25).”

English Standard Version (Chapter

37, Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

There is a lot of work to be done outside there. There is a lot of preaching and teaching to be done outside there we are talking about sound teaching and preaching. It is time to preach, it is time to teach but the problem is that we don’t have shepherds who are compassionate like Jesus.

Note: That is what AIU is all about teaching and sending those who are trained to this dying world which is desperately in need of the sound teaching of God’s word.

38, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Plead with God, beg God to send men who will teach the true doctrine of the word of God.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, i will you and myself these questions, are you compassionate person? are you moved when you see people’s spiritual poverty? Look around you, is there a person who you have seen is struggling with the things of this world and they need rest? Are you willing to plead with God to send more the faith men who will preach and teach the word of God?