Verse of the Day 3/6

 

Matthew 9:36-38  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless,like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ³⁸ therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."    English Standard Version (ESV)

 

We've considered how David, like the prodigal son, came to himself, came to his senses and acted.  It s a matter of the heart as well as the spiritual eyes.  They saw the condition of their hearts, felt sorrow, perhaps emptiness, saw what action needed to be taken and acted upon it.

 

It is how God works in His people.  In today's verses we see the same kind of thing.  Jesus saw the condition of the crowds, the emptiness in their hearts and souls.  He saw their need.  He also felt for them, He had compassion for them.  In many other instances in the gospels he acted directly for them as is indicated in verse 35.  But here He does something different.  He also mobilizes others.  He brings the need to his disciples, equips them with what they need and sends them off, commissions them for prayer and for service.

 

His Spirit helps us to see within ourselves to see our own need, but He also gives us eyes to see the needs in others, to feel for them, act for them and to mobilize for them.  May our eyes be opened today to see, to feel and to do.

 

Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.

 

Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

 

Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.

 

Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.

 

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at http://www.mikesvotd.blogspot.com/

 

Matthew 9:35-10:1

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few

³⁵ 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. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds,he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;³⁸ therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

The Twelve Apostles

10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.