New Testament Reading Plan: 2 John; 3 John; Jude
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 9:35-38 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.” (ESV)
Jesus loved people! He loved healing them, talking with them and telling them the
good news of the gospel. Many times throughout the gospels, Jesus is seen as having
“compassion” for people. In this particular passage, Jesus compassion is seen because
the people were helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus told the disciples that the
harvest was ripe but that there were few workers. There are many good things that we can
spend time praying for but when we look at this passage of scripture, Jesus is telling us to
pray for workers. There is a lack of good shepherds to guide the sheep. In the Canadian
Church today, many churches are losing ground. The church is losing its voice. We must
pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send out more WORKERS! Good shepherds take people
deeper into Jesus; they give of their time and energy to further His Kingdom. God is looking
for workers...will you answer the call?
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. What is holding you back from rising to become a good shepherd? Are you too busy?
Do you waste a lot of time with recreation, leisure activities, media & entertainment?
Ask the Lord to show you what some of the things are in your life that are preventing
you from being a better labourer.
2. Do you love and have a compassion for people the way that Jesus did? Are you
concerned about the lost ones around you? Pray that God would grow you and the
church in compassion for people.
3. Pray that God would raise up an army of workers to take in the harvest. Pray that these
workers would love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, that they would be
obedient and live holy and righteous lives.
