When it comes to growing things I’m not much of a gardener. But this year we’ve managed to grow a few things in the garden. One of our more successful crops has been our potatoes.
And all you gardeners out there, what’s the best bit about growing your own veg? Not digging the garden or even planting the seeds. Not tending to them, weeding them or watering them through the hot summer. No –the best bit for me is definitely harvest time. Sticking the fork into the ground and seeing what’s there! And seeing the results of your labours makes it all worthwhile doesn’t it?
Here we are then on this our harvest weekend. Our flower festival and the Harvest Supper this evening. And for this morning a short reading about a harvest field and work to be done. Not a harvest about about crops, but about people. And lessons this morning about mission: where and how and even who should do it. Why is mission so hard? Why is it so difficult to grow a church? Come to that, why isn’t the church full this morning? These verses might just have something for us to think about.
Before we get into our verses for today it’s worth spending just a few moments trying to figure out where we are in the book. In chapters 5 to 7 Matthew has just given us his account of the sermon on the mount – that amazing sermon that Jesus preached to the crowds up the mountain. And this was new teaching for them – they had never heared anyone preach like this before. See what they say in chapter 7:28:
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Do you see that word there? Authority! This new teaching – Jesus words – come to them with authority. Jesus speaks with authority given him from God the Father.
And then chapters 8 and 9 tell us about what happened next: and as we just scan the headings in our Bibles, we get an idea about what was going on. First there was healings: the man with leprosy, the Centurion’s servant, Peter’s mother-in-law, the paralysed man, a blind man and a sick woman; Then there was the calming of the storm; Then he drives out evil spirits from those who were possessed. He brings a girl who was dead back to life.
And one word to sum up Jesus’ actions: again, authority. Over sickness. Authority over nature. And over evil spirits. Even over death itself. Jesus does all these amazing things. Restoring people. Putting things right. Teaching about God’s kingdom. And by his actions, demonstrating that he’s no ordinary man. His words and his actions come with this amazing authority from the Father.
And so as we come to our verses in chapter 9 this morning the first thing to say is that Jesus has been a busy man! All this has been happening in and around Galilee – the region that’s about 60 miles north of Jerusalem. The historians tell us that there were more than 200 towns and villages there, the bigger ones had populations of 10 to 15 thousand.
Like a politician on the hustings, Jesus had had a punishing schedule. Healing, teaching. Public appearances. Crowds wherever he goes. Matthew sums it up in verse 35:
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
Healing and preaching and teaching, every town and village. Jesus must have been exhausted! Just about fit to drop!
And yet rather than going off for a bit of a rest, Jesus continues on his way. Somehow, he still musters the energy to respond to the crowds. Look at verse 36:
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
That brings us to our first heading this morning:
1. Open our eyes
Because that’s the first thing that Jesus does. He goes out to the people and he sees the crowds. He doesn’t stay inside his HQ. He goes out to them. And as he goes, he sees their need. Some were sick. Some were lonely. Some hungry. Some were suffering, some mourning, some were exploited. So many needs, so many needy people.
But as Jesus looks at the people in their various needs, Jesus also sees that they have something in common. Do you see? “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
The crowds before him came from all walks of life. All kinds of social backgrounds. Their situations and needs covered the full range of human experiences. But underlying all these issues they had one thing in common. They were as sheep without a shepherd.
Now that’s probably much of a compliment is it? When we were up in Derbyshire this summer we came across quite a few sheep. Some were wandering around in their fields. Some had their heads stuck in the wire fence. Others we found just wandering about up and down the narrow roads. One of them when he saw our minibus approaching just froze and refused to budge. The minibus was white with black wing mirrors so I guess he probably thought we were a great big sheep!
But do you see, the thing about sheep is that they need looking after. Left on their own they can get into all sorts of trouble. Wandering around in circles. Oblivious to danger. Un-cared for and un-loved.
And that’s exactly what Jesus sees as he looks at the crowds. A people in need of a shepherd. These people need a leader.
I suppose at this point we need to ask ourselves where were their leaders? Where were those who were supposed to be looking after them?
The leaders of the people – the community and spiritual leaders – were still in their posts! But Matthew leaves us in no doubt that they weren’t doing their jobs properly. The crowds are harassed and helpless. The shepherds aren’t doing their jobs.
But getting back to ourselves and our own situation, I wonder what it is that we need to see? Now don't get me wrong, I’m not saying that we’re all going around with our eyes shut. But our challenge for today is that we might see what Jesus sees as we go around and about.
What do we see as we go off to work: as we look out across the staff canteen or the staffroom? What do we see as we join the queue at Somerfield’s or at the bank or Post Office? What do we see as we sit in the waiting room at the doctors or the dentist or down at the hospital? What do we see as we wander past the folks sat on the bench out in the churchyard or over at the park or in the cemetery? And what do we see as we look up and down our street – the people coming and going?
What do we see? Stress? Illness? Sadness? Bereavement? Too much to do – too little time. As we look, can’t we see something of what Jesus saw? A society harassed and helpless? A people with a universal need? Thousands of folks who don’t know what it means to follow the Lord.
Jesus could see these people. Let’s ask him to open our eyes, that we might see them too.
2. Open our hearts
Of course, having eyes to see is only part of the answer isn’t it. If we stop there, then these folks are no better off are they? Again we need to look to Jesus. Let’s see what he does. Verse 36:
36 When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
As Jesus looks at the crowd, as he sees their needs, he is moved to do something about it. He has compassion on them.
Again, we need to remember what Jesus has already been through. As we’ve already thought, he’s exhausted. If I’d have been in his shoes then I’d have wanted to leave it for now. Go and get some rest. Come back when I’d got a bit more energy. But not Jesus. He doesn’t tire. He’s moved to act. According to my dictionary, that’s what compassion is. I looked it up! It said, “a feeling of distress at the suffering of another.”
Have you ever wondered why Jesus was so troubled at what he saw? Why it was that seeing the crowds got to him so?
We’ll we’re not told here, but remember who we’re talking about: the Lord Jesus – God’s Son. The creator of the universe, born as a baby and standing on the earth. And as he looked out, he saw that things just weren’t right. Things were not as they should be.
Life in God’s kingdom shouldn’t be like this. Death and sickness. Suffering and hardship. Loneliness and exploitation. Symptoms of a fallen world – a world where people have lost their way. A world where people have wandered away from the God who created them. Harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
And Jesus knows what the answer is. In fact, Matthew gives us a big hint back at the start of his book. Speaking about the baby Jesus and quoting from one of the prophets in the Old Testament, listen to what he says. Chapter 2 verse 6:
“for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”
I wonder if you can spot the connection? The baby born in Bethlehem – this baby Jesus – is the fulfilment of the prophets of old. Jesus himself is the answer – the shepherd that these people need. Where Israel’s leaders have failed the people, Jesus will succeed. He will God’s rightful ruler – God’s chosen King. The King of God’s kingdom.
And we’ve seen haven’t we what his shepherd role means: teaching and preaching – feeding the sheep. Spiritual food that will keep them well fed. Leading them out of the chaos of life and into the green pastures by the still waters. And healing every disease and sickness – love and care and support for these needy sheep. Jesus is the shepherd that the people have been waiting for.
I wonder if we ever get tired of helping people? Does it ever just get too much? Have you ever come across the term ‘compassion fatigue’? The phrase was first used in the charity sector in the United States. Apparently the people that look at these things could see trends in the charitable giving going down over time as the people grew tired of hearing and seeing the same old issues coming up time and again.
Don’t we know that to be true of ourselves? I know I do. Every week I get a number of letters asking for money for various charities and projects. Some supporting Christian work. Others working with the elderly or children or even animals. All deserving causes in their own way. All making a good case as to why I should sign up for just £2 a week or whatever it is they need.
And we tire of it don’t we? As we sort through the post each morning – not another one! And another! And they all end up going straight in the bin.
Jesus never tired of helping people. His compassion never fails. He sees the need and responds in love: preaching and teaching and healing. Giving the sheep just what they need.
And us – what can we do? For a start, don’t we need to ask the Lord for some more of his compassion. To change our hearts – open our hearts – not only to see the need, but to give us the desire to want to do something about it.
But what can we do? How can we help? The problems are so big. Our efforts are so small aren’t they? Where on earth do we begin?
Do you remember those adverts that were on a few years ago? They were all a variation on a theme, but basically the story was the same: a broken down car, with a shot of rather hapless bloke with the bonnet up looking down at the engine. They all wore rather mystified expressions and there was a lot of head scratching. Then someone else would come along and ask the same question: “Can you fix it?” To which the answer came: “No, but I know a man who can.” At which point our knight in shining armour – or at least in a yellow patrol van – arrives. The nice man from the AA.
I wonder if we’ve ever spent too long looking at the problem or scratching our heads? Have you ever spent too long wondering where to start or how to begin? These problems are all too big for us aren’t they? “Can we fix it?” No – but we know a man who can, don’t we? When the problem seems too big, or even if it doesn’t, let’s ask Jesus to help.
Harassed and helpless people, whether in Galilee 200 years ago or in Clacton today, still need the same help don’t they? They need the good shepherd, Jesus Christ. He’s the man who can.
If we’re going to change the world for the Lord, we need to open our eyes to see the need, and open our hearts to do something about it.
Jesus now turns his attention away from the crowd and onto the disciples. His followers – his workers in the harvest field.
In these last verses Jesus draws a parallel between the large number of people who are ready to hear and respond to his preaching and a field full of corn at harvest time. It’s a simple illustration of the issue at hand: when it comes to gospel work, there aren’t enough people to help. Verse 37:
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Fields laden with crops. Ripe crops. Crops ready to be harvested. A plentiful harvest. But not enough bodies to help. And if the harvest isn’t gathered? The crops will spoil. Some will go to waste.
And just look at what’s going on: Who’s harvest? Who’s field? Who do these crops belong to? The answer is the same. They belong to the Lord. His harvest. His harvest field.
So what are the disciples to do about this lack of workers? Does Jesus have in mind some sort of recruitment campaign? Do they need to go out and press-gang some volunteers?
I wonder if you saw any of the last series of the Apprentice? You know that show with Sir Alan Sugar – 16 candidates and only one job, where the prize is to work for a year in one of Sir Alan’s companies. The contestants have to complete a series of challenges designed to see who is the most suitable for the job. And at the end of each episode Sir Alan sits them all down in the boardroom and says to one of them, “You’re fired!”
Perhaps that’s what the disciples should do? Set up some initiative tests and challenges to see who is best suited to be a worker in the Lord’s harvest field. Keep the best and fire the rest! Maybe that’s the answer?
Well before we get too carried away we need to look back to our Bibles – because the answer is right there in front of us. When we need more workers we must pray to the Lord.
3. Pray to the Lord
Prayer. Can that really be it? Yes says Jesus. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the field.
Asking for God’s help helps us put things in perspective doesn’t it? It reminds us that this is God’s work. God’s harvest. God’s kingdom. He’ll provide the workers. All we need to do is ask. With a prayerful commitment and a servant heart. Openly and expectantly.
What about us? Where should we begin? Can I suggest we take a look at the harvest fields around and about us? Places like the schools: four primary schools and a secondary school in the parish. Places that we work or visit. The people at our social club or group. Our families and our friends. Lots of different fields but if we believe the scriptures, all ripe for harvest. Needing workers to go and bring it in.
There’s too much work for us to do on our own and in our own strength. And so we need to pray. Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.
A bit later this month we have an opportunity to do just that. Our central prayer meeting is in three weeks time: Tuesday 16th October. And for part of that evening, this is what we intend to do. Set aside a decent amount of time to pray for God’s help with our mission. To commit it to the Lord. And to ask him to send out workers.
I’ll be there – and I’d like to invite you all to join me. To pray to the Lord of the harvest.
These are great verses aren’t they? So straightforward and yet so challenging for us. That the Lord might open our eyes to see the need; Open our hearts to respond. And when we realize we can’t do this on our own – to pray to the Lord and ask him for workers.
That’s what the disciples did I’m sure. As Jesus commanded them, so they got down on their knees. But just as we close just a little footnote. The very next thing that happens in Matthew’s book... The disciples are sent out on a training mission. The 12 are sent out to the lost sheep of Israel. Preaching and teaching and healing in the name of the Lord.
Do you see the link? Those who pray, these disciples - in the Lord’s great plan they become the answer to their own prayers! The workers that they were looking for were right under their noses! That’s not to say that this is a universal outcome. Please don’t let this put you off praying!
Not everyone who prays to the Lord will become a worker in the field. But some will have other tasks, other roles, other responsibilities. But for some, maybe even for you, the worker that you’re praying for and asking for may be closer than you think!
