The Harvest is Great But the Workers Are Few! - Matthew 9

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35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvestis plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

  In chapter 9 we have a whirlwind of Jesus' activity and ministry with several different types of people.  You have:
  1. A paralyzed man 
  2. The synagogue leader's daughter, who they thought had died.
  3. Matthew the tax collector
  4. A bleeding woman
  5. A two blind men 
  6. A mute man who was possessed by demons.  
There were four things to note in these stories:
  1. Those who were healed all demonstrated faith that Jesus could heal them.  People had heard about Jesus but boldly went to Jesus trusting he had the authority to heal them. 
  2. Jesus' connected healing to the forgiveness of sin. The word "salvation" means healing, and also deliverance.  It is primarily connected to forgiveness and eternal life. 
  3. Therefore, earthly healing is temporary but a sign of Jesus' power, authority and love for all people.  But ultimate healing is trusting in Jesus as your Savior.  
  4. There were three different reactions to Jesus' healing ministry.  Those needing healing went to Jesus in faith expecting he could heal them. The crowd who followed Jesus and wondered where He got his authority.  They were seeking and wondering who He might be.  Finally, the Pharisees who rejected Jesus and his miracles and were more interested in the Law than the One who came to fulfill the Law. They were so caught up in their little world of rules, regulations and pride they missed the Messiah.
So what can we learn from this?  We can learn that ministry is not only preaching the gospel, but doing ministry that shows the power of the Gospel And this happens by reaching out and touching people in Jesus' name.  Jesus went to all people regardless of their status or standing in society.  We, as followers of Jesus, are sent out into the world to reach all people for Him in His name and power.  You can see how many people came out to meet Jesus.  Jesus says the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  

I believe the same holds true for us today.  The only question for you and me is are we going to go out and do the things that Jesus did.  Will we have faith like the people in these stories did to trust in Jesus and obey his calling in our lives?  What an opportunity we all have to have an amazing life by being used by God to point people to salvation in Christ alone! 

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