I am a Laborer

When is the last time you have taken time to contemplate the needs of your community?

I’m not talking about noticing ,them but rather taking the time to recognize and really contemplate the brokenness around you. In other words, choosing to see what is right in front of us, Looking at the world through the eyes of Christ.

We come to a passage of scripture today in our journey through the life of Christ. Where we see that Jesus is filled with compassion

The first thing I want us to see from today’s text is Jesus reaction to the brokenness of the world around him wasn’t disdain but compassion.

I. Compassion recognizes the needs of its community.

Matthew 9:36 CSB

36 When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.

The first thing I want you to notice is that Jesus was looking. How often in our busy lives do we wander right passed the brokenness of our world and we’ve become so used to living in it that we no longer see it.

When our mission aligns with God’s than we will be able to see the needs around us.

A. The first recognized need was the state of the people

Would you describe our community as distressed and dejected?

The word “distressed” means to be troubled

The word “dejected” means to be cast down, discouraged and depressed.

In 2022, 1 out of 5 people struggle with depression and anxiety in the United states.

In 2020 25% of Adults admitted to some suicidal thoughts.

According to John Hopkins university Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people 15-24 years of age.

Since 1950 Suicide rates have tripled.

B. The failure of religious people.

When we look at the account of Jesus life. We see a common theme. Religious people were everywhere. The synagogues were meeting every Saturday. The religious would take part in these religious experiences and Yet we see Jesus describe the people as having no shepherds.

How can that be? How could there be so many religious people yet no one shepherding those outside the religious elite?

There was a failure of the religious people to have any meaningful impact in the community at large. They were religious for their own benefit only. There was’t any real concern for others. Because as we see compass

In the last 50 years has there been a shortage of religious people? Yet we just agreed that our culture could be describe as distressed and dejected. Sheep having no shepherd.

If there isn't a shortage of religious people, then of what is there a shortage? True care and concern for the mission of God and the souls of men.

You see then we must admit that the answer to the problem is not that the world needs a better church service. The answer is the church needs more people with a deep concern for the mission of God and compassion for those that are far from God to shepherd the people.

True compassion will result in action.

II. Compassion Results in Action

A. Meeting Physical needs

Matthew 9:27–31 CSB

27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men approached him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” 30 And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus warned them sternly, “Be sure that no one finds out.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him throughout that whole area.

B. Meeting Spiritual needs

Matthew 9:32–34 CSB

32 Just as they were going out, a demon-possessed man who was unable to speak was brought to him. 33 When the demon had been driven out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

III. Compassion sees the need as greater than himself

Matthew 9:37 CSB

37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.

One could spend his entire lifetime serving faithfully and barely scratch the surface of the need. The need is bigger than anyone person. So....

IV. Compassion prays for more laborers

Matthew 9:38 CSB

38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

How often are we concerned enough for the will of the Lord and the souls of men that we pray as Jesus instructed?

Maybe if we are honest with ourselves we don’t pray this prayer because we haven’t been willing to be a laborer ourselves? How can we pray for this and yet not be part of it?