RAISING UP
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to His disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields.”
Matthew 9:35-38 (NLT)
We are called to model our lives after Jesus. This isn’t a revolutionary or controversial statement. But do we? As we read the gospels and see how He lived, do we act on what He said and modeled for us? Consider what Jesus does in just these few short verses.
First—He shares the Good News about the Kingdom. When was the last time you had a Gospel-centric conversation… outside of church or small group? You may be tempted to give yourself a pass since you’re not a pastor or missionary. But we’re all called to be His ambassadors (see 2 Corinthians 5:20). Second, we see Jesus have compassion on people. I’ll be the first to admit that compassion isn’t always my first response when dealing with people, especially if they’ve wronged me in some way… like blocking the intersection when it's my turn to go. And yet, Jesus asked His Father to forgive the very people who were crucifying Him (see Luke 23:34).
Lastly, we see Jesus give instructions to His disciples. I would submit to you that these instructions weren’t just for the twelve but for all of us who follow Him today. Jesus tells us to pray and ask God to raise up those who might go and share the Gospel. He says that the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Stated another way—there are more people out there who need to hear about Jesus than people are proclaiming His truth. So, let’s ask God to embolden and empower ambassadors for the Kingdom!
APPLICATION: Pray that God would raise up many to proclaim His Word. Ask Him how you might be used as a voice to point others to Him. As we close out our week of focusing on the next generation, pray specifically for Gen Z and Gen Alpha—that God would raise up many to love and lead them.
PRAYER: God, help me to live as Your Son Jesus did. Grant me the courage and conviction to share about You. Please fill me with compassion for the lost. Please raise up many to proclaim Your truth, especially to the next generation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?