Scripture: Matthew
9:35—10:8 (9–20)
In the season after Pentecost the focus of the Gospel
lessons moves to Jesus’ teaching ministry and away from the major events of his
life. When this season begins as early as it can, the readings begin with the
Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6 & 7, and continues with chapter 9, the end
of which we read this week. This lesson focuses on Jesus’ teaching on the
growth of the kingdom of heaven, a key phrase in Matthew that refers to the
coming of Jesus to bring salvation from sin and death through faith in him as
the crucified and risen one. As modern readers we are reminded of the
importance of the ministry of preaching and evangelism for the spread of the
kingdom.
Teaching
When Jesus was preaching and teaching he had compassion on
the crowds, “because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a
shepherd.” However, his response to the need of the crowds is not to exhort his
disciples to do something about the need, but to, “pray earnestly to the Lord
of the harvest….” This response reminds us that God is the one who brings faith
and salvation to people – it is the God’s mission to shepherd the lost sheep. When
we join in that work it is first by prayer asking God to do his work as the
Lord of the harvest.
After Jesus’ exhortation to prayer, he called his twelve
disciples. This was surely part of the answer to the prayer to send laborers
into the harvest! They are sent with great handicaps which force them to rely
on God in their mission – for their mission is firstly God’s mission. They are
given authority to do great signs, but even those is from God and in his power.
Life
This passage urges us to pray for the Lord to send laborers
into the mission field – even our own neighborhoods. We do well to pray for
pastors, missionaries, and evangelists who are called to this work. At the same
time, we are all among Jesus’ disciples and we are all sent to our neighbors to
share our faith. Nevertheless, begin with prayer for your neighbors asking God
to send someone to share the Gospel with them. Then be prepared, because the
one sent might be you!
When Jesus sent out the Twelve, he sent them to, “the house
of Israel.” Today we are sent to be representatives of the kingdom of heaven to
all of our neighbors with no regard to their ethnic or spiritual background.
And just as the disciples needed to rely on God to provide for them as they
went out, we too rely on God to give us the words we need to say. This does not
mean we shouldn’t study Scripture, prepare, and practice, but it does mean that
when God gives us opportunities to speak of his kingdom we can do so
confidently.
Comments