Matthew 9:35-38 MKJV 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. (36) But seeing the crowds, He was moved with compassion on them, because they were tired and scattered like sheep having no shepherd. (37) Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. (38) Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send out laborers into His harvest.
The smell of the open air, sunshine on His face, cool breezes, and the pleasing sites of nature were quite a welcome change for Jesus. He had spent days in the closely connected, and tightly packed cities and villages, “teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” So many people to reach, and so much to say. Not even His disciples were ready for the entire story revealing God’s plan for salvation.
Jesus shared God’s love for His people in parables, actions, deeds, and lessons taught in the answers He provided. One day a young lawyer asked Him a question, “Master, which is the great commandment in the Law?” The lawyer thought he could outsmart Jesus by getting Him to place one commandment above another. He thought, no matter what Jesus answered, we would have something to accuse Him with. Because Jesus was in constant prayer with the Father, He had the gift of discerning the spirit. He was also prepared to answer the question with the only appropriate answer. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:35-40 MKJV)
Jesus also showed God’s love in the people He helped and healed. Jesus worked many long and tireless days and nights as they brought people with every form of sickness and disease to Him. He cured fevers, restored limbs, removed scars, healed broken bones, and broken hearts. He mended relationships and made marriages happier. He also raised people from the dead. All of these miracles, and some still would not accept Him, and believe. Many people believed, but were not yet willing to commit to understanding what a complete relationship with God was.
This day was different. It was a time to plan for the future. Jesus knew, as a man, He could not reach the world on His own. He had the help of the Holy Ghost, and of course His Father was always near, but in the form of a son of man, He knew His limitations. He knew His time in this world was short. He also knew, after He would die, and be planted in the earth, His ministry would grow, sprouting up and covering the world like a vine covers the side of a well. Branches would reach into every nook and cranny. Every leaf would turn towards the Sun of Righteousness for His life giving rays of light. Soon His vine would bear fruit.
Looking out over the fields Jesus admired the golden color of the ripening wheat. He thought of the time and labor invested in the fields. He also saw the faith of the farmer must match the knowledge of his trade. He knew how to plant, and when. Proper preparation was important. The ground had to be prepared. Seed was then scattered. Once the seed was upon the ground, faith was exercised. No one had power to make it rain, but God. The rains were perfectly timed with the temperatures and hours of sunlight required to produce an abundant crop.
After admiring the simple, yet inspiring scene of the golden wheat swaying in the breeze, Jesus looked back over to the crowds of people before Him. “He was moved with compassion on them, because they were tired and scattered like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send out laborers into His harvest.”
