The Life and Ministry of Jesus
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:35–38
Not only did Jesus heal; He also taught and preached. But He could not do the work alone—He needed others to help Him. He requested that His disciples pray that God would provide the needed workers.
It was not long before the disciples themselves were involved in the ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing. In the same way, when we pray as He commanded, we will see what He saw, feel what He felt, and do what He did. God will multiply our lives as we share in the great harvest that is already ripe (John 4:34–38). 1
Personal Encouragement
As you evaluate your work this year for Kingdom of God, what kind of worker have you been? If you owned a company and wanted to hire a hard working, effective worker, would you qualify based on your current service in His Kingdom on earth?
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. John 4:34
God’s work is hindered, when the people of God are uninterested in working.
A Prayer
Lord, thank You for sharing Your compassion with me when I was without Your leadership in my life.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
