IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Ask God to Raise and Send Compassionate Workers

Date: Apr. 27, 2021

Passage

Matthew 9:35-10:15

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few

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.”

The Twelve Apostles

10:1 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. 2 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; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 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: Matthew 9:9:38

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

1. The workers are few (9:35-38)

Out of his compassion, Jesus went all over preaching the good news of God's kingdom and healing the sick. The need was huge, like a vast harvest. But the workers were few. Jesus told his disciples to pray that God would send out harvest workers. We still need to pray for and go as compassionate teachers who bring good news and healing in Jesus' name.

2. Fieldwork Instructions (Pt.1) (10:1-15)

Jesus raised and sent out his twelve closest disciples with his authority over demons and diseases. He instructed them at that time to go only to Israel preaching the kingdom and healing the sick, as he had done. He told them not to depend on money but seek out worthy listeners who would support them. They were to bring peace and leave judgment to God.

Prayer: Lord, raise and send compassionate workers who bring good news and healing in Jesus' name. May I be one of them, by your grace and purpose.

One Word: Lord, raise up compassionate workers!

Daily Bread

We Are Your Sheep, Lord

Psalm 79:1-13

Key Verse: 79:13

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

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