Matthew 9:27–38 | Compassion for the Harvest
Reflection
Matthew 9:27–38 continues revealing both the authority and compassion of Jesus.
Two blind men follow Him crying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!”
When Jesus asks whether they believe He is able to restore their sight, they answer, “Yes, Lord.” He touches their eyes, and they are opened.
Soon afterward, a man who cannot speak because of demonic oppression is brought to Jesus. When the demon is cast out, the man speaks, and the crowds marvel at what they have witnessed.
Matthew then steps back and gives us a wider view of Jesus’ ministry.
He travels through cities and villages, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing sickness and disease.
But the passage does more than describe what Jesus does. It tells us what He feels.
When Jesus sees the crowds, He is moved with compassion because they are harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
He then tells His disciples that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few, and instructs them to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send workers into His harvest.
Matthew 9:27–38 challenges us to see people as Jesus sees them.
Those who are lost, struggling, or far from God are not simply problems to criticise. They are people who need a shepherd.
Jesus calls us to pray for workers — and to remain willing for God to use us as part of the answer.
