Matthew 9:18-38

Matthew 9:18-38

 18 As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt down before him. "My daughter has just died," he said, "but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand upon her." 19 As Jesus and the disciples were going to the official's home, 20 a woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, 21 for she thought, "If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed." 22 Jesus turned around and said to her, "Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well." And the woman was healed at that moment. 23 When Jesus arrived at the official's home, he noticed the noisy crowds and heard the funeral music. 24 He said, "Go away, for the girl isn't dead; she's only asleep." But the crowd laughed at him. 25 When thecrowd was finally outside, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! 26 The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.

27 After Jesus left the girl's home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" 28 They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, "Do you believe I can make you see?" "Yes, Lord," they told him, "we do." 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "Because of your faith, it will happen." 30 And suddenly they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, "Don't tell anyone about this." 31 But instead, they spread his fame all over the region. 32 When they left, some people brought to him a man who couldn't speak because he was possessed by a demon. 33 So Jesus cast out the demon, and instantly the man could talk. The crowds marveled. "Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!" they exclaimed. 34 But the Pharisees said, "He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons."

35 Jesus traveled through all the cities and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And wherever he went, he healed people of every sort of disease and illness. 36 He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields."

Devotional (by John Goebel)

So Jesus knew his limitations.  What Jesus had limitations?  Since Jesus was 100% human and 100% God and humans have limitations so did Jesus.  Jesus knew he physically could not be with all the people.  Therefore, he told the disciples (and thus to all future followers which include you and me) to pray for more workers.  Workers that can be there for the people.  Not only workers to help people become followers of Jesus, but workers to listen, to love, to encourage each other.  Workers to hear about the people's sicknesses, struggles, fears, and doubts, and pray with the people for God to heal them, to guide them, to overcome them.  Is Jesus calling you to be a worker?  No license required, no degree needed just a compassion for people.  In fact, our small group (and I suspect all groups in TheJar) is full of workers.  It is a safe place for people to lean on each other.  Yes Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to be with us at all times but sometimes, as a small child once said "I need Jesus with skin on right now." Do you need a safe place?  Try a small group at The Jar.

Prayer
Dear God, Thank you for Jesus and your Holy Spirit to be a model of compassion and love and to guide me through my life.  Grow my capacity to love and care for others and to seek out relationships that will help me to be loved and cared for as well.