Matthew 9:35-10:8 (NRSV)
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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
In farming country, things don’t stop during the harvest season. Huge combines operate night and day, and trucks and wagons line up to unload at the local grain elevator. At harvest time, good help is always hard to get and there is no time to waste. There is a sense of urgency in the air. People are up at sunrise, and still going at midnight.
The task God has given us might seem overwhelming, but God equips us for the work. Inspired men and women rise up for the task, using their God-given gifts to proclaim the kingdom of God. Some are teachers, others evangelists, still others care for the poor and needy. Those who can no longer do physical work offer prayers for the harvest. It is a team effort, isn’t it; a harvest that utilizes the gifts and skills of everyone as they work together. And here is the promise: when we work with God’s blessing and by his command, the harvest will always be abundant.
Prayer
Gracious Jesus, empower us as we work in the harvest fields. Amen.