Sunday Morning Podcast February 12, 2017. Bro. Danny Sanders.
TEXT MATTHEW 9:35-38
35 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.
36 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.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
As Jesus looked out over the crowd, what was it He saw? He saw souls in need, and had compassion. He desired that others would also see that need. God desires the needy, that are like scattered sheep, to have a shepherd to care for them, Numbers 27:16,17. Jesus was stirred. How stirred are we to the needs all around us? Do we see when their lives are a tangled mess, burdens pressing on their hearts, and with no direction? Do we only observe them from “afar,” or are we further moved to actually help them? How long since you have been really hurting? Some of us are fortunate enough to have it good, to have the privilege to fellowship and worship together with God’s Church. May God help us to not take it for granted! Jesus is looking for willing workers for the harvesting of souls! The harvest is plenteous, but the workers are few, Matthew 9: 37,38.
Luke 10:27,30-33 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. But who is my neighbor? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. Our neighbor is whoever God puts in our path that needs help.
Who might be on your heart with some kind of need, physical or spiritual? Might it be family, friends, neighbors, or someone that before you had not met? Are you willing to step outside of your comfort zone, to boldly offer help, and an ear for what’s on their heavy heart? Let’s be mindful of souls around us. If we only observe and not act upon our burden, they won’t receive our help.
Let us do more than see at a distance!