The Need For Laborers
September 11, 2022
Commentary
As Jesus continued to travel, two blind men followed Him and acknowledge Him as the Son of David (vv. 27-31). We are not told why these men were blind, but blindness was prevalent in the Mideast in that day. These men were persistent as they followed Him into the house where He was staying. It was their faith that Christ honored as He miraculously restored their sight. He told them not to tell anyone about this event, but the news soon traveled throughout the region (v. 31). Perhaps the reason He didn’t want this news to be spread was to keep the multitudes from thronging to Him for physical healing. While it is true that Jesus did heal many from physical diseases, He came primarily for spiritual healing which is permanent and not physical healing which is temporary.
As the two blind men left the house a demon possessed man was brought to Jesus and He immediately healed him (vv. 32-34). The crowd marveled as nothing like this had ever been seen in Israel. However, the religious leaders said that He must be getting His power from Satan.
As Jesus went from place to place, he saw the people being deceived by the religious leaders and wandering around helpless with no spiritual guidance (vv. 35-38). At this point in the story, Jesus and His men were tired and needed a rest. But when Jesus saw the haggard masses, He couldn’t help but feel compassion for them, so He continued to minister to them. In response to this helpless condition, He urges the disciples to pray that God the Father will send out additional laborers to reap the harvest. “As so often happens, those who prayed were themselves sent”
Application
Has the need for laborers changed any since Jesus’s day? No! There are more unsaved people in the world today's than there were in Jesus’s day. What can I do to help in today’s harvest field.
Matthew 9:27– 38 (NET)
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men began to follow him, shouting, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 When he went into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” 30 And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about this!” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him throughout that entire region.
32 As they were going away, a man who was demon-possessed and unable to speak was brought to him. 33 After the demon was cast out, the man who had been mute began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel!” 34 But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of demons he casts out demons!”
35 Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest-ready fields.”