Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’
(Matthew 9:35-37)
Jesus has come into a world where heaven and earth have been separated by sin, leaving the earth under the shadow of death. The “gospel of the kingdom” is the glorious news that heaven and earth will be reunited under God’s rule, bringing salvation to those who believe it. The problem is, there’s only one of Jesus, and still an awful lot of needy people under the shadow of death.
Jesus has been doing amazing things, changing the lives of thousands of people…
- what normal life is like?
- what people most need?
Think about the people you know—family, friends, neighbours—who haven’t heard, or believed in, the “gospel of the kingdom”. Are you feeling and thinking about them the same way that Jesus is? Ask God to help you to share Jesus’ attitude.
Based on an extract taken from Explore Daily Bible Reading Notes
