Great harvest despite of much opposition
There is no greater commander and higher authority to christians than that of Christ Jesus Himself.
And His commandments are most readily available (in non-supernatural fashion) in the gospels of the Bible.
As Je God does not contradict Himself; what we find in the bible must speak in the same spirit as any other divine revelation (regardless of method of transmission).
In Matthew Ch9 vv 35 - 38:
35v: And Jesus was going about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
The expression of "all the cities and the villages" portraits comprehension of the great picture. Jesus having seen the situation in all places, rather than just knowing some or relying on reports from some places, through somebody.
Jesus is bold enough teaching in the synagogues of all these places, to bring His message of the kingdom of God to the midst of Israel, telling them what they want and need to know.
The joy and fullness of His gospel is previewed/foretasted, and highlighted by His healings of "every kind of disease and every kind of sickness." This message of the Kingdom reaches every kind of need and every kind of shortage.
His words are reinforced by His deeds, a first taste of the first fruits of the New Covenant. For those who received Him joy and wholeness are visiting them.
The emphasis is in the teaching, as Mark picks this theme in Mark 6v6.
Mark did not ignore healings; he just expressed it here as part of the teaching of Christ. The message of the kingdom brings forth healings of all kinds. There is no report/record of ailment/illness that Jesus with His authority can not heal.
Jesus did not just come to this world to die for our sins. He brought us good tidings and healing of all kinds. His goodness can be seen, not just felt. by some notion. It is more than notion, more than conceptual.
v36: And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed (or, harassed ) and downcast (Lit, thrown down ) like sheep without (Lit, not having ) a shepherd.
Not just healing, but felt compassion for them. These people are not just objects of demonstration/action. They are like His own subjects/sheep.
They did not find their shepherd. They were not sheep of others/Satan's fold. They were seeking what the world does not seek.
They are in the sight of Christ; rather than behind His back. Thought of rather than forgotten.
Matthew did not record that the multitudes consist of any one with high self-esteem.
No one assumed a leading position. No proud heart.
They did not even feel they have a proper leader.
v37: Then He [said] to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
This verse started a conversation between Christ and His 12; excluding the multitudes.
Christ did not tell the multitudes any of them should yet have any harvest in what they do.
Christ is telling His disciples that in the midst of the downcasted is plenty of harvest; so much that the workers/harvestors that are available for gathering these people are few (not sufficient). There is room for many more workers, as appointed by the Father.
Many were ready to be the kingdom of God.
Out of a gloomy picture, Christ drove our attention to great hope and joy of much harvest.
What seems sorrowful actually directs us to much joy and abundance of goodness and satisfaction from above.
Christ was not myopic in seeing/dealing with just the immediate situation; and was prepared to instruct for preparation of much good results yet to come. A fortaste of joy and work/labour.
Christ also hinted that there is to be much work for the available workers. Very busy time, rather than quiet, disheartening time is coming.
The workers are not man-made. God the Father will send them by His will.
v38: "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."
God the Father is the Lord/Master/The Supreme/The Head/The Source/The Author of the harvest.
It is He who designed and caused the harvest. It is not the deed of someone else that God or any christian happened to discover and coming to work on. It is His harvest!
God rules over harvest; and in Him is all kinds of harvest, fruition, fullness, completness, glory, happiness, satisfaction, joy, sufficiency, contentment, wholeness.
He is Lord of Success, Achievement, Development, Establishment, Edification.
Apart from Him, nobody can bring anything to joy and satisfaction and sweet ending.
Take heed lest anyone lost sight of the beacon and centre of happiness/joy and fall into disheartening.
When we turn to God; When we look at God, we may see joy and gladness, sufficiency and peace.
The future is in the hands of God the Father. We are assured by the Holy Spirit.
We should pray earnestly for the time we are in, for the work of Christ, and for knowing and doing God's Will.
Great joy awaits us in sharing His planned out work.
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