Matthew 9:35–38
When Jesus walked the dusty roads of Galilee, He wasn’t just passing through towns — He was on a mission. Every encounter, every word, and every act of compassion revealed the very heart of God. In Matthew 9:35–38, we get a glimpse of that mission and the heartbeat that still drives His church today.
1. The Mission of Jesus (v.35)
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”
Jesus’ mission was holistic — He taught, preached, and healed. He met people’s deepest spiritual needs while caring for their physical pain. His ministry was not confined to the big cities or religious centers. He intentionally went to “all the towns and villages,” reaching those who were often forgotten and overlooked.
This is the model of true ministry: to go where people are, to bring hope where despair reigns, and to proclaim that the Kingdom of God has drawn near.
2. The Heart of Jesus (v.36)
“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
The heart of Jesus is moved by what He sees. He doesn’t just notice crowds — He feels their pain. The word compassion here in Greek means to be moved in the deepest part of one’s being. Jesus wasn’t indifferent to the lostness of people; He was stirred to action.
He saw people not as problems to fix, but as souls to love. He saw beyond their sin, brokenness, and confusion — and saw sheep without a shepherd. His compassion turned into a call: to care, to reach, and to lead.
As followers of Jesus, we’re invited to see the world as He sees it — to look at our cities, neighborhoods, and nations with His compassionate eyes. When we walk through the streets or scroll through the news, do we see harassed and helpless people who need a shepherd?
3. The Harvest Is Plentiful (vv.37–38)
“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.’”
Jesus shifts the focus from compassion to commission. The problem is not the lack of people ready to respond — it’s the lack of laborers willing to go. The fields are ripe; hearts are open; opportunities abound.
But Jesus doesn’t tell His disciples to complain about the shortage of workers — He tells them to pray. Every true missionary movement begins not with strategy but with intercession. Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s mission and prepares us to be the very workers we are praying for.
Conclusion: Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers
When we see the world through Jesus’ eyes, our hearts will break with His. Compassion must move us to action — to go, to serve, to share, and to pray for more workers.
Jesus still walks through towns and villages today — through us. His mission continues in every act of love, every gospel conversation, every prayer for the lost. The harvest is still plentiful. The question is: will we go into the fields?
