Sunday (6/15): "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest"

Scripture:  Matthew 9:36-10:8

36 As He saw many people, He had loving-pity on them. They were troubled and were walking around everywhere. They were like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His followers, "There is much grain ready to gather. But the workmen are few. 38 Pray then to the Lord Who is the Owner of the grain fields that He will send workmen to gather His grain."

Matthew 10

 1 Jesus called His twelve followers to Him. He gave them power to put out demons and to heal all kinds of sickness and disease. 2 These are the names of the twelve followers. There were Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John who were the sons of Zebedee. 3 There were Philip and Bartholomew and Thomas. There was Matthew, the man who gathered taxes. There were James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeaus, and 4 Simon the Canaanite. There was Judas Iscariot who handed Jesus over to be killed.

 5 Jesus sent out these twelve followers. He told them to go, saying, "Stay away from people who are not Jews. And do not go to any town in the country of Samaria. 6 But go to the Jewish people who are lost. 7 As you go, preach. Say, 'The holy nation of heaven is near.' 8 Heal the sick and those with bad skin diseases. Raise the dead. Put out demons. You have received much, now give much.

Meditation: Do you believe that the gospel has power to change and transform your life? The core of the gospel message is quite simple: the kingdom (or reign) of God is imminent! What is the kingdom of God? It is that society of men and women who submit to God and who honor him as their King and Lord. In the  prayer which Jesus taught his disciples we pray for God to reign in our personal lives and in our world: May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus' preaching of God's kingdom was  accompanied by signs and wonders. People were healed not only spiritually, but physically as well. Jesus' words are just as relevant today, the kingdom (or rule) of heaven is at hand. We cannot buy heaven; but those who know the love and mercy of Jesus already possess heaven in their hearts! Do you believe in the power of God's kingdom?

Jesus commissioned his disciples to carry on the works which he did – to speak God's word and to bring his healing power to the weary and oppressed. In the choice of the twelve apostles we see a characteristic feature of God's work: Jesus chose very ordinary people. They were non-professionals who had no wealth nor power. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these men, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power. When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not think we have little or nothing to offer. The Lord Jesus takes what ordinary people like us can offer him and he uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Do you believe that the Lord Jesus wants to work through and in you for his glory?

Prayer: "Lord Jesus, you have chosen me to be your friend and disciple. Take and use whatever I can offer you, however meager it may seem, for the greater glory of your name and your kingdom."

Psalm 100:1-3,5

1 Call out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
 2 Be glad as you serve the Lord. Come before Him with songs of joy.
 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is He Who made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His field.

5 For the Lord is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever. And He is faithful to all people and to all their children-to-come.