IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Jesus Sent out Harvest Workers

Date: May. 19, 2015

Passage

Matthew 9:35-10:15  (ESV)

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.”

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 9:38

therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

First, Jesus' motive and vision (9:35-38). Wherever Jesus went, he taught people God's word, proclaimed the message of the kingdom, and healed people. But the need was great; all the world needs a shepherd. Jesus' motive in calling and sending workers is his compassion on harassed and helpless sheep. He shared his vision with his disciples: "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." God is the Lord of the harvest, let's ask for the privilege to work with him in his field.

Second, the Kingdom of heaven has come near (1-15). Jesus' disciples need his authority to work in God's harvest field. Each of them listed here was weak in their own way, but in service to Jesus they could be powerful gospel workers. Jesus sent them to the lost sheep of Israel to do as he did: teach people, proclaim the message of the kingdom and to heal. Jesus gave them principles of ministry to help them depend on God alone, to build relationships in each place, and to value the gospel message above all.

Prayer: Father, still your harvest is going on in earnest. Please send me to work in your field.

One Word: Proclaim the good news of the kingdom

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Intro Daily