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Day 19

Pastor Tim Matthews

Topic: The Poor in Our City

Scripture Reference: Matthew 9:37–38

Devotional:

When a scripture begins with the word then, I want you to stop and ask yourself: What came before then? We may miss something important to understanding the story if we skip scriptures that came before, so let’s practice this as we look at the two verses preceding our scripture reading for today.

In Matthew 9:35–36, we read:

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

What we see from these scriptures is the condition of the crowds needed the compassion of Jesus. The crowds were broken and in need of a shepherd. The heart of Jesus, the “great Shepherd of the sheep,” was broken, and He desired to serve the crowds of people (Hebrews 13:20).

Let’s keep these truths in mind as we read the scriptures we started with.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Jesus was filled with compassion for the crowds, and that drove Him into action. He taught, preached, and healed those who were around him. Jesus saw them, and He served them. Compassion is key to living a selfless life, and Jesus’ life is a beautiful example of what happens when you stop to see the conditions of those around you who are struggling.

Then Jesus commanded His disciples to pray a specific prayer. Jesus told them to pray that God would send laborers (workers) into His harvest (world). As disciples of Jesus, we have been given the privilege of being a part of what God is doing on the earth. One major way we can grow in our compassion toward the brokenness of the world is to pray for the world.

Do you know of anyone in your family who is going through a tough time? Is there a close friend or coworker who is experiencing heartache, loss, or sickness? We weren't given a single name of those in the crowd, so let’s think about these questions:

• How do you respond when you see crowds of people who are sick physically or mentally?
• What does your heart feel and what does your mind think when you encounter “those people” who seem to be more broken than you are?

Whether it’s someone we know by name or a face in a crowd, praying compassionate prayers can remind us of God’s heart and love for the world He died to save.

God, I ask you to send workers to those who are desperately in need of the gospel, to those who need the witness and work of the love of Jesus. Highlight those who are “harassed and helpless,” and empower me to share your love and provision with them.