Jesus Style Leadership 4 - Sent & TeamSample

Sent to Harvest

Leadership Lesson

Jesus-style leaders are sent by Jesus to bring in the harvest.

Read Matthew 9:35–38.

Comment

Jesus was enjoying a very productive time in His ministry. He was in His home territory of Galilee, and the crowds were flocking to see and hear Him. They couldn’t get enough of this miracle-working, authoritative Rabbi. His powerful ministry was all they had dreamed of and waited for. They were hungry. For a long time, there had been no real spiritual leadership in Israel, and they did not know what to do or whom to follow. They were like “sheep without a shepherd” (9:36). As Jesus interacted with the crowds and their never-ending needs, He was moved. But being fully human, He couldn’t do it all Himself; He needed harvest workers (9:37). We face the same dilemma that Jesus encountered. There is a huge amount of anxiety, fear, frustration, vulnerability, and desperation in our community. But we just don’t have the Jesus-style leaders to meet the need. Who is going to teach the ignorant? Who is going to heal the hurting? Who is going to support the abused? Who is going to guide the lost? Who is going to share the good news with the disillusioned? Who is going to bring in the harvest? Jesus’ answer for us is to pray. “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (9:38).

Prayer

Responding to your challenge to the disciples, I’m asking You, Lord, to raise up the Jesus-style leaders we need to help the broken, desperate, hurting, and disillusioned to see that You, Jesus, are the answer. I’m trying hard, but we just need more leaders with Your heart. Please hear my prayer.

Personal Reflection

If you read on (Matthew 10:1–8), you will find that the number of harvest workers increased by 12 almost immediately. The disciples became the answer to their own prayers. Jesus sent them out into the harvest. Pray for the people Jesus is sending you to reach.