Matthew 9:38

| Matt 9 |

38 therefore s pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to t send out laborers into his harvest.”

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Matt. 8:1–9:38 The Authoritative Power of the Messiah: Kingdom Power Demonstrated. Jesus has shown himself as the Messiah in word through his teaching (chs. 5–7) and now shows himself to be the Messiah in deed through the performance of many miracles, demonstrating that the kingdom of God truly has arrived.

Matt. 9:9–38 Unexpected Discipleship, Miracles, and Workers. Jesus reveals his unexpected definition of discipleship (vv. 9–17) and demonstrates extraordinary compassion through his unexpected miracles (vv. 18–34). The underappreciated are called to follow him, while the religious leaders continue to resist him.

Matt. 9:36–38 The compassion of Jesus is a repeated theme in Matthew (cf. 14:14; 15:32) and throughout both the OT (e.g., Deut. 30:3; 1 Sam. 23:21; Ps. 103:13; Isa. 49:15; 54:8; Lam. 4:10) and the NT, where Christians are especially admonished to show compassion to those in need (e.g., Col. 3:12; Heb. 10:34; cf. James 5:11). like sheep without a shepherd. The leaders have failed in their responsibility, but Mic. 5:4 predicted that the Messiah would “shepherd” his people. Given the helplessness and the need of the crowds, Jesus' disciples are urged to pray earnestly that the Lord (shifting metaphors) would send out laborers into his harvest, since many are ready to receive the good news of the kingdom—a prayer that is as urgent today as it was when Jesus' original disciples heard his words.