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In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus models ministry for his disciples (5:1-9:35) and then sends them out to do likewise (10:1-42 cf. 28:16-20). All of this can seem mechanical and perhaps even forced. This can seem daunting to many Christ-followers. There is so much to be done. How can God expect us to engage in ministry when we don’t possess a certain skill set, a specific callling, or are simply afraid?

Matthew 9:36-38 can help us to find our service and ministry as natural response to God’s work in our own lives by changing what we care about and shaping us into persons for whom God-honoring, compassion driven, needs meeting ministry becomes the defining part of our lives as followers of Jesus. Each of us has gifts, talents, and passions that can be channeled for missional purposes. Let us hear how this text from Matthew’s Gospel can help us.

NRS Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Here are four brief observations:

1) Ministry is centered on compassion and flows from compassion. Jesus sees the needs of the scores of persons who are coming out to see him. Their deep needs (they are as sheep without shepherds) move him to compassion. Compassion is the fuel of ministry. The word translated as compassion occurs elsewhere in Matthew’s Gospel in 14:14, 15:32, 18:27 and 20:34. In each of these contexts, compassion leads to action. It is worth noting that in all of these contexts, the object of Jesus’ compassion is people.

2) Jesus is moved to compassion because he has eyes to see and ears to hear the true needs of the people with whom he comes into contact. What would it look like if we could see others as Jesus see them? How would our daily interactions with others be different?

My colleague and friend at Asbury Seminary, Dr. Robert Tuttle exhorts us to pray this prayer: “Lord, give me eyes to see and love others as though they were my own children.”

Jesus sees the needs of others and compassion moves him to action.

3) Ministry involves multiplication. The needs of the world are immense. The fields are ripe for harvest. There are so many opportunities available for loving service and witness that Jesus lifts up the need to his disciples to pray for more workers. The lesson is clear: Ministry is not a solo act. There is no room for competition. The needs are so great that we need to ask God to raise up reinforcements and co-workers. We need to multiply our own work by empowering and encouraging others to join in God’s mission. Let us pray that God raises up a generation of Christ followers who will engage the world in a compassion-driven ministry.

4) Ministry involves urgency. The use of the harvest imagery is important. It is easy for most of us who live in urban or suburban contexts to misread this. Harvest imagery typically involves scenes of final judgment (for examples in Matthew see 3:12, 13:30, and 13:39). Yet, here it is not judgment but salvation. The times are urgent. Jesus proclaimed in 4:17 “The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Yet, God (the Lord of the Harvest) does not send in workers for judgment but to warn others and offer them the salvation that Jesus is bringing to reality through his life, death, and resurrection.

Being a disciple of Jesus implies that one lives a life on mission. Christ-followers are to live for something greater than themselves–the values and ethos of the reign of God. This is not to be a burden but a way of life. It is fueled by the same compassion that Jesus felt in the face of human need. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear in our day.

Reflections:
1) Do I have a heart of love? Or am I plagued by bitterness or coldness to others? Am I willing to allow God to give me a new heart?

2) What would it mean for us to see others as Jesus sees them? In my circle of influence, who are some people that I need to see differently?

3) Am I multiplying leaders around me? Who are persons that I can invest in so that there will be a long term hire return?

4) Do I act with a sense of purpose or urgency? Am I more worried about my own plans or have I submitted my future to one of God’s dreams?

© 2007 Brian D. Russell

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