Matthew 9:35-38

Harvesting GOD's People

Throughout the Bible, the harvest carries spiritual significance. Jesus used it as a metaphor in todays lesson for finding the lost sheep. Not that they were physically lost like a lamb that wondered from the flock, but more in Spiritual way. The harvest has always been a beautiful and important part of life on earth, the time when the year’s work bears fruit and the people are fed. It is symbolic of bounty, health and abundance. Israel celebrated the time of the harvest with a feast, appropriately called the Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23:16).

As Jesus traveled with His disciples, He saw the crowds and had compassion for them, because they were weary and scatted like sheep having no shepherd. So He tells them the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, so they must pray for workers to join the harvest. Todays lesson refers to the many souls needing to be brought to repentance and faith as a harvest waiting to be realized, but He does so to let them know harvesters need to get out in the field to collect up those belonging to Him.

(35)Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, 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 for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. (37)Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (38)Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Matthew 9:35-38

1. (9:35) Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

1. Up until now, Jesus was being the example as he trained His disciples

1. Disciple means student, they were His students

2. He showed them what they needed to know to teach others

1. He was always teaching them on how to act and live

3. He showed them what they needed to know to preach the Gospel

1. They learned from from Him about the Gospel of GOD's Kingdom to come

4. He showed them that if the had the faith of a mustard seed they could perform miracles

1. Healing the ill

2. Making the blind see

3. Making the lame walk

4. Making the mute speak

5. Making the deaf hear

6. Casting out demons

7. Even walking on water

2. (9:36-a) But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered,

1. Jesus had compassion for the lost souls

1. There are many Scriptures we read where Jesus had compassion for others

1. Prior to feeding the five thousand - (Matthew 14:14)

2. Prior to feeding the four thousand – (Matthew 15:32)

3. Toward various individuals

1. A leper - (Mark 1:40-41)

2. A demon-possessed man - (Mark 5:1-20)

3. The widow of Nain who had lost her son - (Luke 7:11-15)

4. The two blind men - (Matthew 20:30-34)

2. He was moved with compassion when He saw people:

1. Weary and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd

2. Suffering from diseases, demon possession, and hunger

2. His compassion moved Him to take action by helping them

1. Healing the sick and demon-possessed, raising the dead

2. Teach those in need of a Shepherd - (Mark 6:34)

3. (9:36-b) “Like sheep having no shepherd”

1. The first time the phrase “like sheep having no shepherd” occurs in Numbers 27:17.

1. Used by Moses to describe God's people who will be lost without him after he dies.

2. It is when GOD chose Joshua to lead HIS people into the promised land

3. Joshua was a type of Jesus who led GOD's people after Moses died

1. Joshua brought them into the promised land

4. Jesus saves us, and will bring us into the promised land of Heaven

2. We also see the phrase in Ezekiel chapter 34, where GOD warns the spiritual Religious leaders leaders

1. God promises to shepherd HIS people, HE Tells them

“because my flock has become prey… even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd… I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd cares for his herd… so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them…”

1. GOD now fulfills of that prophecy, as Christ Jesus, by demonstrating His compassionate nature

2. (9:37) Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

1. This should bring to mind the time Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well

1. After Jesus was finished talking to the woman, 

1. His disciples returned with food

2. They offered Jesus food, 

3. Jesus tells them He already had food they did not know about

4. Jesus looks at the wheat and tells them about the harvest

Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

John 4:35-38

1. This is exactly what Jesus was telling them, workers are needed to harvest the flock

2. (9:38) Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

1. Prayer is the most powerful gift we can exercise. When one prays with confidence and with faith, then anything can happen.

1. Whether one lives in America, or in Bangladesh, there are sheep looking for a shepherd

2. If He tells us to pray something, it’s because He wants to fulfill that prayer! 

3. GOD tells us to pray for more missionaries, 

1. If you all pray, faithfully and from your heart, then GOD will send us those who will help

2. Plus, every Christian must step up and start doing their part for the Gospel to be advanced and souls saved

3. This does not mean everyone must become a ministry or join a missionary group, some can help by training or just donating to finance missionaries who need help financially

4. When you say, “Thy Kingdom Come,” you are praying a missionary prayer that more and more people will recognize the kingship of our Lord Jesus! Use the Lord’s Prayer! And ask for HIS help

5. I also expect mature Christians to step up and start stepping out in faith by sharing the Gospel

6. Like the disciples, so too must we all step up help in the harvest

7. Help find the lost sheep, by doing all you can with the gift GOD gave you so the lost can hear the Gospel of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.