Matthew 9:35-38; Psalm 94

Matthew 9:35-38
I see at least three challenges that Jesus' actions present to us in this brief passage.

• He went through all the towns and villages teaching and preaching the Good News. We meet people nearly every day who desperately need some good news, especially the Good News that Jesus came into the world to save sinners!
• He had compassion on the crowds "because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." When we hear about people who feel hopeless and may act out in ways that we find shocking, do we have compassion on them? We must daily remember that individual men and women are made in the image of God, and Jesus came to die for each one of them. Their sins often seem repulsive to us, but we must never forget that our sins are repulsive to God! He had compassion on us by sending His Son to pay the penalty for our sins. And then the Holy Spirit worked in our lives so that we reached out and received this gift of salvation. I believe God is pleased when we can feel and show compassion for those who desperately need Him.
• "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." When Jesus looked at the crowds, He saw them as a field ready to harvest. Do we see people that way? Or do we find them threatening? Do we realize that some of them are ready to come to the Lord if someone will show them how? Jesus specifically asks us to "ask the Lord" to send out more workers to reap the harvest. Yes, He will likely send us at least to our family, friends, and neighbors, but none of us can go everywhere or do everything. and so our first job is to pray.

Psalm 94

This psalm reminds us that "crime does not pay"--the wicked will not prevail. God will judge the wicked, the proud, the arrogant, and the violent, if not in this life, surely in the next. He sees and hears and knows the thoughts of man. Only a foolish, senseless person denies this.

vv. 12-15 reminds us that our loving heavenly Father must sometimes discipline us, His children, because He loves us. The correction of a loving Parent will save us from much trouble!

Here are some words to meditate on today:

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." v. 19

"But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge." v. 22