When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9.36
Matthew 9.36 tells us so much about Jesus. We see how He loves, how He cares. We are drawn to His compassion, His tenderness, His comfort. The crowds saw all of that too, and they continued to follow Him.
The next two verses in Matthew’s Gospel say this, “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.” Matthew 9.37-38
The focus of the text shifts from Jesus being compassionate toward the crowds to calling His disciples to care for the crowds, and for those that would come after them. The Kingdom of God would advance as His disciples took on His character, His will, His way. This message wasn’t limited to the twelve disciples. Matthew ensures his readers understand all who believe the Good News are also grafted into the fold of the Good Shepherd.
At Sanctuary, we often say we are “In Christ for the sake of the world.” It’s important to note the difference between being “In Christ for the sake of the world,” and “being in the world for the sake of Christ.” The difference is more than subtle. It’s staggering.
Being in the world for the sake of Christ:
I pursue my own agenda
I live on my own schedule
I am in control
I control my own relationship with God
Being In Christ for the sake of the world:
“As He is, so are we in this world.” 1 John 4.17
I am broken bread and poured out wine for the sake of others.
I become the manifest presence of Christ.
I live out a radically other-referenced love
God is in control of our relationship
When we are rooted in anything other than Christ, we are…
Protective
Defensive
Manipulative
Possessive
Preserving of our fleshly nature.
When we are rooted in Christ – our identity is in Christ alone. Our call is first inward and then outward. Our work in the harvest becomes a natural and normal response to God’s love in us.
You are the manifest presence of Christ in the booth at Chick-Fil-A, or at the ball field at Oregon Park. You are actually the Body of Christ while you check out at Publix, or clock out at work. Whom you forgive are actually forgiven in heaven. This is the truth we believe!
Here’s the crazy part. The great invitation of God to be in Christ is not something that needs to be acquired; it just needs to be realized and embraced. We’ve spent most of our lives building our own kingdoms, designing and developing strategies and structures, generating processes that lead to desired outcomes, and fighting against those who get in our way of achieving and accomplishing our goals. We’ve done this in our work, in our families, and in our relationship with God.
On a deeply theological as well as an extremely practical level, God is inviting us to live life fully and completely “in Christ.”
Reflection:
- What does it actually look like for you to be “in Christ”? Give an example.
- Jesus says, “ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Knowing that He has called you, enabled you, and empowered you, would you ask Him to send you into His harvest field?
- “In Christ for the sake of the world.” How might you fully live into this truth today?
Pray through the truth of Colossians 3.1-4.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3.1-4
