What do tending sheep and harvesting crops have to do with church? Let’s look at some important farm lessons that apply to our local church in Matthew 9:35-10:8.
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. (Matthew 9:35-36 NKJV)
Pastor means shepherd. The ideal national leader is pictured as a caring shepherd. When sheep are not fed and cared for, they become “distressed and dispirited” (NASB). People are burdened by leaders with vain traditions and bad ideas, weighed down in ignorance, neglected and scattered abroad without care and attention.
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38 NKJV)
Metaphorically, the Great Commission is a harvest, with few field workers. Jesus encourages us to pray the Lord would urgently drive workers into the fields. Jesus calls us to a compelling mission. Perhaps one of the major problems of the Church is that we don’t have a sense of urgency.
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. (Matthew 10:1-4 NKJV)
There were 12 disciples, 12 Patriarchs, 12 tribes and 12 gates in New Jerusalem. Apostle means “one sent.” Jesus gave them a little of the power that He revealed during His earthly ministry. As the 12 Patriarchs were the Fathers of Israel, these men became the Fathers of the Church.
These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:5-8 NKJV)
How were “the lost sheep” lost? Were they not being led “in the paths of righteousness” (Psalm 23)? Had their [national and religious shepherds] led them astray (Jeremiah 50:6)? Had THEY “gone astray like a lost sheep” (Psalm 119:176)? Have our modern day shepherds been leading us astray?
Who is lost? Who does not go to church, has no friends, is an addict, is depressed, feels abandoned, is materialistic, has ruined their lives in sexual immorality, has bad anger issues, thinks that theft is an appropriate way to live? The lost are everywhere and they are our assignment.
Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. (Revelation 14:9-13 NKJV)
A small child can be led by the hand of a faithful parent or grandparent. They trust the one who leads them. Do we trust the one who leads us? Can we go, not knowing where, but knowing that the One whose hand we hold will always lead us faithfully?
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. (Revelation 14:14-20 NKJV)
The harvest is ready (Revelation 14:14-20). The harvest is thrown “into the great winepress of the wrath of God.” The blood of the grape symbolizes Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16; Joel 3:13). The wheat and tares (Matthew 13:36-43) grow together until harvest. May we be among the righteous!
An urgent task in the church is still to seek and care for lost sheep and bring them into the kingdom. Let’s not be lazy Christians, but seek out and care for the lost sheep in or communities.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Vincent's Word Studies. Marvin Richardson Vincent. 1886
Readings:
Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) an epiphany prepares for the birth of Isaac
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 what can we offer the Lord for all He has done for us?
Exodus 19:2-8 God makes a conditional promise to Israel
Psalm 100 a doxology, a Psalm of praise
Romans 5:1-8 made right by faith
Matthew 9:35-10:8 in Rhyme
Jesus saw the people weary
Sheep without a shepherd, dreary
He said the harvest’s plentiful
The workers imperceptible
Pray to the Lord of the harvest
For more laborers to harness
He gave the disciples power
To heal from that very hour
Don’t go into the Gentile towns
But just stay within Israel’s grounds
Preach heaven’s kingdom is at hand
Heal and freely give should be planned
A worker’s worthy of his hire
Towns you enter you should inquire
Who in it’s worthy, and stay there
If the household’s worthy, peace share
You’ll be sheep among predators
Be wise and harmless on your tours
Beware, you’ll testify to kings
God will help you say the right things
