HARASSED AND HELPLESS

36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” Matthew 9:36-38.

Harassed and helpless. Perhaps we also feel like that sometimes.

If even we as followers of Jesus can have these feelings, we can imagine that those not following Jesus feel them even more. Jesus saw these people as “sheep without a shepherd.”

We are thankful for the shepherds in our congregation who reach out to help the “harassed and helpless.” But without doubt there are also harassed and helpless people all around each of us, lonely and looking for help, if we have the eyes to see them. And as God’s children, we too can help as “workers” in His “harvest field.” I have recently experienced several store clerks go out of their way to express their appreciation to me for the small gospel tract I gave them. Yes, there is a “plentiful harvest” around us.

God, help me to recognize the harassed and helpless, and to be a shepherd and a worker in the harvest for You. Amen.