JESUS WAS MISSIONAL:
HE WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT A PLACE
By Ben Garrison
“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” Matthew 9:36-38
Jesus had been ministering to people and performing various miracles all throughout the region. One would expect Jesus to be tired of so many people coming to see Him so that He could meet their needs. A lot of times we can find ourselves so exhausted from life that we habitually exclude those who are in need. Instead, we need to follow the example Jesus set for us. When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, meaning He deeply cared. He saw that they were sheep without a shepherd, harassed, and helpless. See, Jesus was missional. At the end of these verses, Jesus challenges His disciples to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the field; the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Jesus challenges us to be missional. The biggest need people have is a shepherd, a Savior. They need Jesus! Instead of secluding yourself, let us be missional and be the workers of the harvest!
ACTION POINT
Would you set aside some time each day this week and ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers? Ask the Lord to give compassion. What is a need you can meet for someone in your sphere of influence? Try and meet that need this week. Remember, the biggest need we all have is Jesus. When we meet a physical need for someone, we need to make sure we always point to their spiritual need for Jesus.
STUDENTS
Think through your My5 List. Pray that the Lord would give you an opportunity to share the gospel with them this week. Also, pray for the courage and obedience to follow through with the opportunities He gives you.
KIDS
Look around at the place you live in. Look through the windows rather than looking in the mirror. Who has a need in the place you live? As a family, find a creative way to meet that need and be sure to point them to Jesus.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, send workers to the harvest. May we see a revival take place in our family, neighborhoods, workplace, community, and nation.