Matthew 9³⁵AndJesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagoguesand proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and everyaffliction.

³⁶When he saw the crowds, he hadcompassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheepwithout a shepherd.

³⁷Then he said to hisdisciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ³⁸therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of theharvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (ESV)

Foundational to the Mission

 The Lord’s Concern

• focus point: Jesus went teaching, preaching and healing
• Jesus focused on His mission: Lk 19.10: “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
• He taught in the synagogues, proclaimed the Gospel and healed (also fed: meeting needs)
• We should be reflecting Jesus: teaching and making disciples (Mt. 28.19-20), not being ashamed of the Gospel (Rom. 1.16) and seeking to meet needs (“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” -Rom. 12.13)

The Lord’s Compassion

• focus point: Jesus saw and cared/We should also have real compassion
• They were let down by religious and political leaders
• He is the One to fill the void/We should seek to fill it also
• Evangelism programs help, but none mean a thing without true compassion at the heart of it: “do we really care?”  (“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” -I Cor. 13.1)

Functional in the Mission

The Problem

• focus point: Jesus had the answer- pray: focus on God and His provision (Mt. 6.33)
• Jesus recognized the harvest was ready and there was a need for laborers

The Solution

• Pray and be ready to go (James 1.22: “be doers of the word…”)

• He directed His disciples to pray for harvesters (not traffic directors)
• Call to build the kingdom, not just our congregation
• We should pray, but also be willing to follow His call (See Ch. 10 and Luke 9 & 10: where many are called beyond praying and sent out)

JESUS was focused on Hismission, had real compassion and wanted His people to share in His desire tosee the work done- and to not just hear the word about reaping the harvest, butalso follow through by becoming harvesters.