The Significance of “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and 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 on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

The phrase “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and 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 on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” in Matthew 9:35-38 is a more powerful reminder used by Jesus from the Message on the Heaven. It describes Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, where he travels through various towns and villages, that actively engaged with the people through teaching truth, preaching gospel, and healing sickness.

Context of the Phrase

The reminder takes place after Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching in Christianity, which caused large crowds to follow him, eager for more teachings and demonstrations of God’s power in Jesus’ authority. It’s preceded by the power in Jesus occurs within a larger section of Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus demonstrates his authority to heal and perform miracles. The Pharisees, religious leaders who often opposed Jesus, are present and watching. Belief in demons and their possession of humans was common in Jewish culture at the time. He heals a paralyzed man, restores sight to the blind, even raises the dead and people continue to bring him a man who is both mute and considered to be demon-possessed. This specific event further emphasizes Jesus’s authority over demons and his ability to restore wholeness to those afflicted by evil forces. Now the power in Jesus occurs after Jesus spreads God’s messages and performs several miracles, demonstrating his authority and drawing large crowds. The people were drawn to him, to seek spiritual guidance and physical healing. The mention of “fainted” and “scattered” suggests the people are weary and lacking guidance. The image of “sheep without a shepherd” signifies the spiritual need of the people. From there, Jesus recognized the spiritual need of the large crowds, who lacked proper leadership and direction.

Significance of the Phrase

The reminder highlights Jesus’ multifaceted ministry: teaching, preaching, and healing. It emphasizes his compassion for the people’s spiritual and physical needs. The metaphor of the “harvest” and the “laborers” calls for more followers to spread his message. It ultimately serves as a call to action for individuals to participate in God’s work.

Here are some key points:

Jesus’ compassion: Seeing the large crowds, Jesus feels their spiritual and physical needs. He compares them to “sheep without a shepherd,” signifying their lack of guidance and vulnerability. It emphasizes his immense compassion for humanity through teaching truth, preaching gospel, and healing sickness.

Jesus’ acknowledgment: Jesus acknowledges the vast work to be done “the harvest truly is plentiful”, but also recognizes the limited number of people actively spreading the message “the labourers are few”. It shows Jesus recognized the spiritual need of the large crowds, who lacked proper leadership and direction.

Jesus’ call: Jesus calls his followers to action, urging them to pray for more laborers to spread his message. Jesus calls for the disciples and others to join in spreading the Christian faith and serving others. It serves as his impassioned call to action for Christians to engage with their faith and help others in need.

Application of the Phrase

The reminder emphasizes Jesus’ compassion, the need for spiritual leadership, and the importance of actively contributing to spreading his message. It serves as a reminder to have compassion for those in need and offer help when possible. It can therefore be applied to various situations where individuals or communities lack guidance or support.

Here are some key points:

Seeking faith: It encourages seeking guidance and deepening understanding of God’s message. It encourages Christians to actively participate in their faith that contribute to the betterment of society.

Sharing faith: We can share our knowledge, skills, and faith with others, contributing to their growth and well-being. It motivates individuals to participate in spreading God’s message through their words and actions.

Promoting compassion: It encourages us to see the needs of others around us, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and respond with compassion and helpfulness. It inspires compassion and action to help those in need.

Building justice: Like the disciples, we can participate in efforts to spread justice and hope in the world, whether through religious work, social causes, or simply individual acts of kindness and goodness.

In summary, the reminder serves as a reminder that spreading love, compassion, and service is a continuous journey, requiring individual and collective effort. It paints a picture of Jesus’ compassionate ministry and calls for continued engagement in spreading his message and serving others. It reminds us of our individual responsibility to contribute to God’s work in the world. It concludes with a call to prayer, urging individuals to seek God’s salvation and guidance in becoming “laborers” for his good work.