Matthew 9:35-10:8 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 9:35-10:8 on biblegateway.com
Verse 35Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. Verse 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Verse 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; Verse 38therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
Chapter 10Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. Verse 2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Verse 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Verse 4Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
Verse 5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, Verse 6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Verse 7As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Verse 8Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.
Devotion
“They were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (v. 9:36)
Harassed sheep are quite a sight! There is a certain group mentality about them as they respond to provocation. Unlike other farm animals that tend to scatter and disburse when they are threatened or disturbed, sheep stay together and flee en masse. They appear to be hysterical, rushing here, there and everywhere as a whole flock. They impulsively follow the leadership of one of their own.
Jesus said that the crowds that gathered around him were like sheep without a shepherd, an apt simile. Imagine what he saw. The sick and infirmed were desperately looking for help. The desperate were longing for a true word from God. The lost were looking for the love of God. All they needed was a Good Shepherd to lead them.
For many of us the term, ‘harassed life’ pretty well describes our situation. We run to and fro, trying to stay with the crowd; failing to consider our ultimate destiny. Thank God we have a good shepherd who can lead us and help us!
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for being our Good Shepherd. Lead us and guide us. Amen.