As I reflect on this passage, I’m reminded that it’s out of Christ’s compassion for the hurting and harassed that he urges the disciples to pray for laborers to go into the harvest. Laborers not on a recruiting challenge, but a rescue mission. Approaching my friends and neighbors with a heart of compassion completely reorients my perspective and approach, seeing those around me as people, not projects. Lord, please give me Your heart for those hurting around me.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:36-38