The Story of Jesus

You have heard it before and probably experienced it many times. When we come to the end of brokenhearted selves in what seems like an impossible situation, we cry out to God with more passion it seems, simply asking for help without telling God what to do. That’s when He can and will help, for He finally has us where He wants us…humbled, teachable, pliable,

Jesus also cries out to the Father, but His heart is broken for lost people. He also that there “will always be the poor among you” and there will always be confused, lost people. He is God and man. His thoughts are higher than ours.

Jesus also knows that nothing is impossible with the Father. He goes to God in prayer before doing anything on earth with amazing results. “When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke.” (Matthew 9, Msg) His heart was broken for the people. His mission at that moment seemed overwhelming. As God in human form He knew He could help by calling thousands of angels to take away all these earthly problems before Him. He had the answer and he had the power to heal all. However, something else needs to happen, in God’s way and with His Plan.

ON YOUR KNEES!
So, it seems Jesus uses this “teachable moment” as an example of what they will feel and face in the future on THEIR mission after He leaves earth to go back to the Father. He uses this moment in time, with a broken heart, to say, “ON YOUR KNEES and pray for harvest hands!” Wow, my thoughts this morning are not the regular sermon you would hear on this passage. But what a thought! Jesus is brokenhearted for lost people “without a shepherd”, sees his little band of followers, and knows they (and us, later) will need more people to work together to reach and help the lost find Jesus and in doing so, they will learn and grow stronger in faith and deed in the process!

So, Jesus Christ does not heal all the lost with the sweep of His hand. He prays for more people to train to be His hands and feet!

“The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields. He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits, and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives. This is the list of the twelve he sent: Simon (they called him Peter, or ‘Rock’), Andrew, his brother, James, Zebedee’s son, John, his brother, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, the tax man, James, son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon, The Canaanite, Judas Iscariot (who later turned on him).”
Matthew 10, Msg

Jesus sends them out in power and strength, all of them. Even the one who he knew would betray him later. (Mm…another story and lesson.)

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the lessons You taught your disciples then and still teach now through Your Word to us. Thank you for Your Living Word, You Son, Jesus, who walked this earth and taught by example to be “on our knees” praying for more harvest hands to help a confused people find and follow You. Continue to break our hearts of those things that break yours. Keep us alert, to be ready to help and ready to serve by Your power, in Your Holy Spirit, in Your time, in Your way.
In Jesus Name, Amen