Help for the Harassed and Helpless
Relief for the Harassed and Helpless
Passage: Matthew 9: 35-38
Points
1. Jesus went to all the cities and villages teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and affliction.
2. When Jesus saw the crowd he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.
3. Jesus told his disciples that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few and that they should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers into his harvest.
Personalize
The "gospel of the kingdom" changes everything. It is good news because the kingdom operates under new leadership and direction. The leadership in the kingdom is the Lord. He is the one that rules and reigns. It is under his leadership that individuals find healing from their diseases and infirmities. Jesus is preaching this good news in the synagogues that once represented the old but now Jesus is revealing the good news of the kingdom. A kingdom not ruled by the limitations of man but ruled by the purposes and plans of the Lord. This gospel was being preached in every village and town. It was the message that brings deliverance not captivity. It brings hope for a better day rather than despair. There was a new ruler in town, and it was Jesus Christ.
The individuals within every town, village, and city were in need of a new day and a brighter future. As the passage states, "when Jesus saw the crowd he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd". The people were in need of a new ruler who had their best interest in mind. They were in need of a deliverance from the oppressive situations they faced. The Message bible reads: "When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd". The crowds of people were living confused and aimless lives. The spiritual leaders of the day had not provided the guidance the people needed and left them wandering aimlessly. Jesus comes and begins to give guidance, but more workers are needed. More disciples of Christ are needed to point the people toward a purpose that can only be found in the gospel. There were too many for a few workers, but more workers were needed to minister to the masses who were helplessly wandering.
In every city you look there are masses of people who are in the same condition mentioned in Matthew 9:36. They are confused and wandering aimlessly. Often in the cities there are fewer church fellowships to point the individuals toward the gospel. The churches move out to the suburbs where they find planned communities and individuals who are easier to reach and engage. I believe the call of Christ is for the church to move into the city where people are harassed and helpless and in need of the gospel. Will we look into the cities and be stirred by compassion for the condition of the people? Will we respond to the call of Christ and be one of the workers needed in the harvest?
Prayer
Lord may we deliver the message of the gospel, the good news of the kingdom. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit may we move out with compassion and under your leadership to help relieve the helpless conditions of the people in the cities, villages, and town we find ourselves.
Created 8 months ago
