Matthew 9:36-38 (ESV Strong's)
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.”
Subject: Evangelism
The passage helps us understand the heart of Jesus as He fulfilled His ministry on this earth. His compassion for the people He saw should be the example to us for our walk on this same earth. When Jesus saw the crowds He had compassion on them. He did not disdain them. He did not allow the large crowds to swell His ego, since they were there to see Him. His eyes saw the crowds as lost sheep, who needed a shepherd. He, of course, is The Shepherd. Yet, He also saw this as a teaching moment. He wanted His disciples to see that there are many who are lost and their job was to go out and lead the lost sheep to Jesus, the Shepherd. In fact, the very next chapter (10) gives us the example of Jesus sending out the twelve disciples into the harvest. It is too bad there is a chapter break here, because their really shouldn't be. Jesus sees the crowds and knows they need a shepherd and immediately sends out the disciples. Today, we are those messengers for Christ. It is our role in this world to be the chapter ten to the chapter nine. The crowds are still needing compassion ... Not criticism. The crowds are still needing a messenger to tell them about Jesus ... Not someone to condemn them.
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