October 8th~Are You In The Field?

Matthew 9:27-34

Mark 6:1-6

Matthew 13:53-58

Matthew 9:35-38

Mark 6:7-13

Matthew 10:1-42

Luke 9:1-6

Jesus returned to Nazareth to visit friends and family, but He did not find a warm welcome there. The people were so familiar with Him that they could not make the transition from local carpenter to the Son of God, the Messiah. Thus, their unbelief stifled His ministry there and He soon had to depart to the surrounding region.

Everywhere Jesus went, He was swamped by the crowds. So many people were hurting or sick. “He felt great pity for the people because their problems were so great, and they didn’t know where to go for help... The harvest is so great,” He told His disciples, “but the workers are so few. Pray that the Lord, who is in charge of the harvest, will send more workers for His fields” (Matthew 9:35-38).

It was this need for workers that prompted Jesus to send out His disciples to the cities of Israel, to preach the Gospel and to minister to the poor, sick, and lame. He sent them out in groups of two and challenged them to take nothing with them, so that they would have to rely upon the Lord for their provision, through the people they helped. This “sending out” is why we call these men “apostles.” A disciple is a student, a learner, but an apostle is one who is sent on an important mission, in this case, to seek and save God’s “lost sheep” (10:5).

This commissioning must have had an impact on Matthew, who provided details of Jesus’ instructions and warnings. “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves,” He said (10:16). The cost of being an ambassador for Christ is high; it demands personal sacrifice. One’s commitment to Him will invite rejection, division (even in one’s family), insults and other forms of persecution, even death. Jesus said, “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, then you are not worthy of being Mine” (10:38).

Daily Reflection

I love the contrast between those who are too familiar with Jesus (people of Nazareth) and those who believe in and follow Christ to the degree that they will suffer anything for Him. What does being too familiar with Jesus look like today? Is that you? Why or why not?

The harvest is so great, but the workers are few. What personal challenge do you find here?

You may not be an apostle, but you have been commissioned as an ambassador, to represent Christ to others, to speak on His behalf, and to share what He has done for them (2 Corinthians 5:20). If you were called home, to heaven, to give a report of your work “in the field,” what would you say? Have you been on the sidelines watching or have you been in the field working?

Don’t fear rejection or persecution. “Be glad; a great reward awaits you in heaven” (5:11, 12). Blessed are those who suffer for Christ.

BiAY.org | Day 281 — 84 Days to Go