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

Last winter when the flood of refugees was most in- tense, I had the privilege of working in Smyrna ́s transit lodgings. The effect on the church was enormous; people gave things and gave of their time. No activity in the history of Smyrna had ever got so many volunteers in such short notice. Why? – we had been filled with compassion, we had seen how dangerous their journey had been, we had seen that they were helpless and in bad shape.

In today ́s text we can read how Jesus was filled with compassion for the people He met. His response was the same as ours, He took care of them. But He went one step further – upon a cross.

I have a favourite line in a song that we sometimes sing in church that says: “Break my heart for what breaks yours”.
Being a disciple of Jesus means carrying His love, but it also means carrying His distress, crying His tears. Seeing those that suffer and being filled with compassion.

The prayer Jesus wants us to pray is pretty treacherous. For as soon as we pray that God will send more workers, He answers: “I am sending you. You are my worker.”
We need workers for God ́s kingdom like never before, because the harvest is great and because the need is great. We that believe in Jesus carry something that can fill people ́s deepest needs. That is why my prayer is that Jesus distress would touch your and my heart like never before. Taking part in Jesus compassion is a catalyst in order to be able to pass on His love.

/Amadeus Ringbäck

Prayer

– Pray that God will send workers to His harvest.
– Pray that God will use you in your context.
– Pray that we won ́t shut our eyes to the needs that exist in our world.