SET 2: Season of Apostles
APOSTLES SIXTH SUNDAY
MATTHEW 9:27-38
PRAY TO THE LORD OF THE HARVEST
INTRODUCTION
After the sermon on the mount, Jesus continued preaching, manifesting the glory of God through miracles, and healing the sick. Now, we reflect on the desire of Jesus to have more labourers to work for the Kingdom of God. He healed two blind men who professed their faith in him as the Son of David. Some people brought a demon possessed dumb man for healing. He regained speech when Jesus cast out the demon from him. Instead of appreciating Jesus or glorifying God for the miracle, the Pharisees ridiculed him, saying that it was with the power of the head of demons that he did it. Jesus went around the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel. He felt pity for the people who were lacking proper spiritual leadership. He asked his disciples to pray to God for more labourers for the kingdom of God.
BIBLE TEXT (MATTHEW 9:27-38)
The Healing of Two Blind Men
(Mt 9:27) As Jesus moved on from there, two blind men followed him, shouting, “Son of David, have pity on us!” (28) When he was about to enter the house, the blind men caught up with him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do what you want?” They answered, “We do, Lord!” (29) Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “As you have believed, so let it be.” (30) And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus gave them a stern warning, “Be careful and let no one know about this.” (31) But as soon as they went away, they spread the news about him through the whole area.
The Healing of a Mute Person
(32) As they were going away, some people brought to Jesus a man who was dumb because he was possessed by a demon. (33) When the demon was driven out, the man who had been dumb spoke. The crowds were astonished and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” (34) But the Pharisees said, “It is through the power of the head demon that he drives out demons.”
The Compassion of Jesus
(35) Jesus went around all the towns and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and he cured every sickness and every disease. (36) When he saw the crowds he was moved with pity, for they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. (37) Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the workers are few. (38) Ask the master of the harvest therefore to send workers to gather his harvest.”
INTERPRETATION
Background
After the sermon on the mountain (Mt cha. 5-7), Jesus implemented what he taught. Understanding the need for the time and making use of his power, Jesus continued his preaching on the Kingdom of God and healed the sick. According to Matthew, the following were the major activities of Jesus after the sermon on the mount before the events we reflect today.
1. When a leper pleaded with Jesus to make him clean, he healed him immediately (Mt 8:1-4).
2. He cured a centurion’s servant from afar and appreciated the gentile official’s faith (Mt 8:5-13).
3. Jesus cured Peter’s mother-in-law who was bedridden with fever (Mt 8:14-15).
4. He healed the sick, and the demon possessed (Mt 8:16-17).
5. He gave instructions on discipleship to those who wished to follow him (Mt 8:18-22).
6. Jesus subdued the storm at sea while sailing with his disciples on a boat (Mt 8:23-27).
7. He cast out demons to a herd of swine from two demoniacs at Gadarene (Mt 8:28-34).
8. People brought a paralytic on a stretcher and Jesus healed him (Mt 9:1-8).
9. Jesus invited Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him (Mt 9:913).
10. Jesus answered the question of John’s disciples on the lack of fasting by his disciples (Mt 9:14-17).
11. He raised an official’s daughter who had died and healed a woman with a haemorrhage (Mt 9:18-26).
These acts of compassion and manifestation of God’s power attracted the people to Jesus. He became popular and people kept coming to hear him and to receive favours from him.
The Healing of Two Blind Men
(Mt 9:27) As Jesus moved on from there, two blind men followed him, shouting, “Son of David, have pity on us!.”
As Jesus moved on from there
Jesus raised an official’s daughter and was leaving his house at Capernaum. According to Mark, the official was Jairus in charge of a synagogue (Mk 5:22). Because this miracle was outstanding, its news “spread throughout all that land” (Mt 9:26). Two blind men, who were in Capernaum, heard of the miracles Jesus did. The news of Jesus raising the synagogue official’s daughter added to their hope of regaining their sight through Jesus. So, they approached him while he was going out of Jairus’ house.
Two blind men followed him, shouting
The families of the blind men might have abandoned them. Because of their helplessness, they mutually supported each other like a family, and sought alms together from the public. From the noise of the crowd around Jesus, they gauged that Jesus was present near by, though they could not identify him because of their blindness. The only way they could catch his attention was to shout for help, calling his name. Jesus, who always helped those in need, delayed paying attention to them, assessing their faith and patience. The blind men persisted in their appeal without giving up hope.
Son of David
The “Son of David” was a Messianic title originating from the covenant God made with King David around 1000 years before Christ. When the king asked permission from God through Prophet Nathan to construct a house for the Lord, the Lord did not allow his wish. However, God made promises to David that He would fulfil through his son (2 Sam 7:12-17). Who was this son through whom the promises were fulfilled? They were only partially realized through Solomon, the biological son and successor of David. And the rest had to be fulfilled through the Messiah, the seed of Eve (Gen 3:14-15) and a greater son from the lineage of David.
Though Solomon built the Temple, the promise of God to “establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Sam 7:13) did not happen in Solomon’s lifetime. He ruled only for 40 years and committed sin, especially during his later age. So, God said, “If he does wrong, I will reprove him with a human rod and with human punishments” (2 Sam 7:14). This was applicable only to Solomon and not to the Messiah who was God who took human flesh. God continued in verse 16: “Your house and your kingdom are firm forever before me; your throne shall be firmly established forever.” Thus, “forever” is repeated thrice (verses 13 and 16) emphasizing the everlasting nature of the Kingdom of David’s greater son.
Because of God’s promise to David that his son would establish his kingdom firmly forever, the Israelites have been hoping for an everlasting king from the line of David to sit on David’s throne and to rule the kingdom for eternity with no failure. God revealed this David’s son through Angel Gabriel to Mary, the mother of the Messiah. “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Lk 1:32-33). Matthew starts his gospel stating: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Mt 1:1).
The phrase “son of David” is used 17 times in the New Testament for Jesus, meaning that he was the promised and long-awaited Messiah. When the people saw the miracles Jesus performed, they wondered whether he was the Messiah. When Jesus cured the blind and mute demoniac, the crowd was astounded saying, “Could this perhaps be the Son of David?” (Mt 12:22-23). People acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah by proclaiming, “Hosanna to the Son of David” (Mt 21:9) during his triumphant entry into the temple of Jerusalem.
Isaiah had prophesied that when the Messiah comes, “the eyes of the blind shall see” (Isa 35:5). The blind men knew of this promise of God and have been waiting for his arrival with faith and hope. They professed that faith when they addressed Jesus as the “Son of David.” When the blind beggars saluted Jesus, “Son of David”, they were proclaiming their faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Though blind, they had the spiritual sight and faith in the Messianic expectation of the Jews based on Holy Scripture. Others also saluted Jesus when they sought favours from him. When Jesus was in Tyre and Sidon, a Canaanite woman greeted him, “Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon” (Mt 15:22). While Jesus left Jericho with a great crowd around him, two blind men cried out to him, “Lord, Son of David, have pity on us!” (Mt 20:29-30; Mk 10:47; Lk 18:38-39) have pity on us
What the blind men sought was not alms, but a permanent solution to their blindness. No one other than the Messiah could do it. So, they were excited to ask for that favour, believing that Jesus was the Messiah who had the power to regain sight for the blind. They also knew that Jesus never declined the cry of the weak, regardless of whether they were Jews or Gentiles.
(28) When he was about to enter the house, the blind men caught up with him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do what you want?” They answered, “We do, Lord!”
When he was about to enter the house, the blind men caught up with him
Since Jesus was in Capernaum, the house he was about to enter would probably be that of Peter. So far, Jesus had disregarded the two blind men, testing their faith. He yielded to them before entering the house. They proved their faith through persistence until they got what they wanted. Jesus kindly granted them the favour they asked.
Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do what you want?”
Jesus expected faith as a requirement for the miracle. While he was in Nazareth, “he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith” (Mt 13:58; Mk 6:5-6). People who came seeking miraculous favours from Jesus initially expressed their faith (Mt 8:2) or expressed their faith when Jesus checked for that quality in them (Mk 9:23-24). At other times, Jesus complimented them on their faith (Mt 15:28) and told them that their faith favoured them with wellness (Mt 9:22). Thus, faith was a precondition of the miracles Jesus performed. Though the blind men had the faith and expressed it by continuously asking for the favour by walking behind him, Jesus made them express their belief again in public.
They answered, “We do, Lord!”
The blind men were convinced of the ability of Jesus to regain their sight. They believed he was the Messiah and had addressed him as the Son of David. So, they instantly gave a unanimous answer. Thus, they professed their faith in public. Jesus was sure of their faith in his power and identity. However, he gave them an opportunity to deepen their faith and prepared them for the great miracle in their lives.
(29) Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “As you have believed, so let it be.”
Jesus touched their eyes
The sick touching Jesus or his touching of them had a healing effect. He could heal the sick with a word. However, he expressed his compassion by touching them. When people were reluctant to touch lepers, Jesus touched them as part of his healing ministry (Mt 8:3). When a multitude of people arrived from distant places, “Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all” (Lk 6:19). When Jesus went to Gennesaret, “people brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed” (Mt 14:35-36). The blind men were fortunate to have Jesus touch them and his power worked on their eyes.
Jesus said, “As you have believed, so let it be”
Just as a patient’s consent and compliance is necessary for medical treatment, the people have the choice to take advantage of the salvation and healing offered by Jesus. The blind men believed in Jesus as the Messiah and acknowledged his power to heal them. That prompted Jesus to grant their wish.
Jesus praised the faith of the two blind men and healed them. A comparable situation occurred with a centurion. Jesus told him, “‘You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.’ And at that very hour his servant was healed” (Mt 8:13). A woman who suffered haemorrhages for twelve years touched the tassel of Jesus’ cloak. “Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, ‘Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.’ And from that hour the woman was cured” (Mt 9:22).
(30) And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus gave them a stern warning, “Be careful and let no one know about this.”
Their eyes were opened
The blind can have their eyes open without eyesight. So, “opening the eyes” here means regaining the sight. The Jews considered the blind as those with their eyes shut. As soon as Jesus touched the eyes of the blind men, they resumed full sight.
Regaining sight for the blind is evidence of messianic fulfilment. According to Isaiah, when the Messiah comes, “The eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened” (Isa 35:5). That is why when John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus, asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus replied, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them” (Mt 11:2-5). While interpreting a passage from the book of Isaiah (61:1-2), Jesus proclaimed that he came as Messiah to regain sight for the blind (Lk 4:18).
Then Jesus gave them a stern warning, “Be careful and let no one know about this”
Why did Jesus give a stern warning to avoid any publicity for the miracle he had performed? Though Jesus did not clarify, the following could be the reasons.
1. The two who regained their sight were enthusiastic about the healing they received. They might have started instantly and earnestly proclaiming it to the public. Jesus wanted to avoid undue publicity on what he did as he had preached, “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them” (Mt 6:1).
2. The news of miracles Jesus performed might lead to the wrong concept about him. The public might see him only as a miracle worker and would approach him to extract favours from him, rather than pay attention to his message of eternal salvation.
3. The publicity of the miracle could bring him trouble. After he healed a leper, “The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere” (Mk 1:45).
4. The publicity could land Jesus’ life in jeopardy. The enemies of Jesus might get agitated and would speed up their plan to destroy him.
5. The enemies could also kill the healed men so as to avoid further publicity for Jesus. Such an attempt had happened after Jesus raised Lazarus from the tomb (Jn 12:10-11).
Jesus had given similar instructions elsewhere. After healing a leper, Jesus had instructed, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses preScribed; that will be proof for them” (Mt 8:4). After curing many who followed Jesus, he warned them not to make him known (Mt 12:15-16).
(31) But as soon as they went away, they spread the news about him through the whole area.
The blind men believed Jesus was the Messiah when they had asked for help from him. They experienced that in life through their healing. Though Jesus prohibited them from spreading the news about him, they felt they have a responsibility to let others know that the long-awaited Messiah had arrived. Thus, they became the heralds of the Messiah.
The news of the recovery of the blind men could spread fast for several reasons:
1. The formerly blind men were overjoyed at the miraculous healing they received. So, they could not contain the joy of their recovery and gratitude to God.
2. Those who knew them would ask how they regained their sight. Naturally, they had to clarify what had happened.
3. Recovery from blindness was such a great miracle that those who heard of it would definitely spread the news around.
4. Jesus was so popular that the people were eager to hear and spread such news.
The Healing of a Person with Speech Impediment
(32) As they were going away, some people brought to Jesus a man who was dumb because he was possessed by a demon.
As they were going away
Here is the transition from one miracle to another. While the two blind men who regained their sight left the entrance of the house where Jesus was, people brought a hearing-impaired person to Jesus for healing.
some people brought to Jesus
The hearing impaired could not come by himself to Jesus because of his demoniac possession. Demons avoided the Messiah because they knew he would expel them. The friends or family of the dumb man sympathized with him and brought him to Jesus. From their experience and popular awareness of Jesus, they knew he would never decline help to anyone who deserves it.
a man who was dumb because he was possessed by a demon
Usually deafness and dumbness go together, especially for those who have the defect from birth. Since the deaf cannot hear, the child will not learn to speak. However, this man became dumb only after birth because of the demon’s possession. It was a case of catalepsy or an insanity of obstinate silence.
(33) When the demon was driven out, the man who had been dumb spoke. The crowds were astonished and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
When the demon was driven out, the man who had been dumb spoke
Since the cause of the speech impediment was demon possession, Jesus treated the root cause. When he expelled the demon, the man regained his speech.
The crowds were astonished and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel”
The extraordinary service and power of Jesus astonished the people. They were eyewitnesses to the miracles Jesus performed and had seen the joy of the people whom he had healed. Most of them took it in a positive sense while the pessimists accused Jesus of blasphemy. Their reaction was not based on just this incident, but also on many other previous miracles Jesus performed. When Jesus healed a paralytic, people “were all astounded and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this’” (Mk 2:12). They could see the miracles as a sign of the presence of the Messiah.
(34) But the Pharisees said, “It is through the power of the head demon that he drives out demons.”
Pharisees
Pharisee in Hebrew means “separate” or “detach” because this group had separated themselves from the ordinary people in their strict religious observances. They were against the Hellenistic influence of the Jewish religion. Of the Law that God gave through Moses, the Pharisees developed their own interpretations and applications. They gave importance to the traditional rituals that were not in the Mosaic law but were handed down by the elders of previous generations claiming that they were of divine origin. The Pharisees emerged during the post-exilic times when there was a thirst for maintaining purity of Judaism according to the written laws and oral traditions. Though some Pharisees appreciated the teachings of Jesus and invited him over to dinner (Lk 7:36-50, 14:1), many of them objected to him because he did not strictly follow their man-made rituals and traditions.
The following are some reasons for the objections of Pharisees against Jesus:
1. Jesus’ teaching was different from that of the Pharisees. He had a distinct view of Sabbath observance and religious rituals. He healed the sick on the Sabbath (Lk 14:1-6) and was not strict with his disciples on Sabbath observances and ritual purifications (Mt 12:1-8).
2. Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites and criticized them openly (Mt 23: 13-36). He condemned the Pharisees in public and asked people not to imitate them (Mt 23:1-7).
3. Jesus forgave sins and presented himself as the Son of God. Since the Pharisees rejected the Messiahship of Jesus, they accused him of blasphemy (Lk 5:21).
4. Jesus mingled with the sinners (Mk 2:16), helped the Gentiles (Mt 8:28-34) and visited Samaritan cities (Jn 4:40-42). He even presented a Samaritan as an excellent character in the Good Samaritan story (Lk 10:30-37) and put down the Pharisees in the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Lk 18:9-14).
5. The Pharisees were jealous of Jesus. He was becoming popular because of the humanitarian miracles he worked for the common people. The Pharisees felt they were losing grip on the Jews because of Jesus (Jn 12:19).
“It is through the power of the head demon that he drives out demons”
The Pharisees had to accept the casting out of demons by Jesus as a miracle. However, they adopted a pessimistic approach towards him. Instead of appreciating the help Jesus provided for the people suffering from demons, they tried to diminish his glory. Either God or an associate of the head demon could cast out demons. Since the Pharisees were unwilling to acknowledge the divinity of Jesus, they accused him of having an affiliation with Beelzebul, the prince of demons (Mt 12:24). The Pharisees undervalued the miracles of Jesus and defamed him. However, Jesus defended himself with counter arguments (Mt 12:25-28; Lk 11:17-23).
The Compassion of Jesus
(35) Jesus went around all the towns and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and he cured every sickness and every disease.
Jesus went around all the towns and the villages
This must be another round of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee because Matthew had already recorded in 4:23, “He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.” His fame spread all over Galilee and the neighbouring regions. Crowds from there followed him and they brought sick people and demoniacs to him for healing (Mt 4:24-25). People continued welcoming him to their villages, and Jesus gladly visited those places and continued his ministry.
Teaching in their synagogues
Since Jesus was a Jew and the public acknowledged him as a Rabbi, the synagogue officials invited him to interpret the scriptures during the synagogue services. That was an excellent opportunity for Jesus to address all the Jews in the locality on the Sabbath days. People were content to listen to him because his teaching had a style different from that of the Scribes. “The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the Scribes” (Mk 1:22).
Synagogue in Greek means “a place of assembly”. The exact origin of ‘synagogue’ is unknown. According to some Jewish traditions, there were assemblies of Jews for prayer (1 Sam 1:9-19) and for the study of the Torah even during the time of Solomon’s Temple. Some claim the Jewish communities outside Jerusalem started the synagogues to pray together when the priests were each busy for two weeks at a stretch in the Temple of Jerusalem during major feasts with sacrifices. Others believe the synagogues had their origin in Babylonia after the destruction of Solomon’s Temple in 586 BC. Since sacrifices were halted for a long time with the destruction of the first Temple by the Babylonians, people used private homes and later started synagogues for public worship and religious studies. The synagogues served also as community centres with provisions for gatherings, education, courtroom, charitable works, and prayer halls.
Even after the construction of the second Temple, the synagogues continued in Jewish settlements all over the world, including Rome, Greece, Egypt, Babylonia, and Asia Minor. The synagogues helped to keep the Jews together in the locality. After the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, the role of the synagogues became more relevant to keeping the Jews in each locality together. Morning, afternoon, and evening Services were held daily in the synagogues. Special liturgies were held on the Sabbath and on religious festivals. Since sacrifices were not allowed in the synagogues, there was no need for priestly service. Each synagogue was autonomous and managed by the local community.
The essential components of the synagogue are an ark where the scrolls of the Law are kept, an “eternal light” burning in front of the ark, two candlesticks, pews, and a biemah (a raised platform for reading the Scriptures and for services). An honourable seat called “Moses’ Seat” was placed for Torah readers because they were reading Moses’ words (Mt 23:2). A ritual bath (mikvah) was available on the premises outside of the synagogue, where the believers symbolically cleansed their hearts before they entered the synagogue.
Proclaiming the good news of the kingdom
Jesus proclaimed the good news that he was going to establish the expected kingdom of God. The kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven refers primarily to the rule of the Almighty over the entire universe with no territory, because everything belongs to God with no border. “The LORD has set his throne in heaven; his dominion extends over all” (Ps 103:19).
In a specific sense, Israel was the kingdom of God because God’s kingdom is a spiritual rule over the lives and hearts of those who remain faithful to God. Jesus reconstituted it, forming the Church with his representative as its head. This kingdom is spiritual, and that is why Jesus said to Pilate: “My kingdom does not belong to this world” (Jn 18:36). The Church is only a foretaste of God’s kingdom that will happen later in its fullness when redemption is over and when the time of judgement will arrive with the second coming of Christ. God will govern this kingdom that is eternal, peaceful, free from any struggle, and is open only to the faithful children of God. “In the lifetime of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever” (Dan 2:44). Thus, the Kingdom of God has different stages. It was initially established in the world at large, then among the chosen people of Israel, later Jesus renewed it by establishing the Church, and it will come to perfection with the Second Coming of Christ.
He cured every sickness and every disease
Jesus, being Son of God, had the power to heal any disease and had the willingness to do so. This summarizes many miracles Jesus performed all over Galilee and the neighbourhood, avoiding details of individual miracles.
(36) When he saw the crowds he was moved with pity, for they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.
When he saw the crowds he was moved with pity
While visiting towns and remote villages, Jesus noticed the lack of pastoral guidance for the people. They were in spiritual darkness and lacked divine nourishment. The Pharisees and the Scribes were selfish, and the priests were corrupt. They were blind leading the blind (Mt 15:14). And they showed no interest in taking care of the spiritual and physical needs of the poor. Instead of communicating the love and compassion of God to the poor and to sinners, the leaders hated them and nurtured such a culture within the community. The poor were like Lazarus in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-31). The rich ignored them.
Jesus felt the misery of the less fortunate in the community. He opened himself to them, saying, “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Mt 11:28-30). He lightened their burdens by healing the sick and casting out demons from demoniacs. He extended the horizon of his service by sharing his authority to heal and preach with his 12 apostles and 72 disciples. But there was more to do and should continue until his Second Coming.
The following are some occasions when Jesus’ compassion was expressed in words in the gospels:
1. “When he saw the crowds he was moved with pity, for they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36; Mk 6:34).
2. After Herod Antipas beheaded John the Baptist, Jesus “withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick” (Mt 14:13-14).
3. “Jesus summoned his disciples and said, ‘My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way’” (Mt 15:32; Mk 8:2). Then he fed “four thousand men, not counting women and children” by multiplying seven loaves of bread and a few fish (Mt 15:33-39; Mk 8:4-9).
4. Two blind men approached Jesus by the roadside in Jericho and asked to have their eyes opened. “Moved with pity, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight, and followed him” (Mt 20:34).
5. A leper begged Jesus to make him clean. “Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, ‘I do will it. Be made clean’” (Mk 1:41).
6. After Jesus healed a demoniac Gerasene, he asked permission to follow Jesus. “But he would not permit him but told him instead, ‘Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you’” (Mk 5:19).
7. A widow’s only son died, and his body was being carried out from the city of Nain for burial. “When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’” (Lk 7:13). Jesus raised him and gave him back to his mother (Lk 14-17).
They were harassed
Jesus noticed the pathetic situation of the people because of their poverty, sickness, lack of proper understanding of God’s love, their life without direction towards God, hardships because of unnecessary rituals and traditions, misconception of the observance of Sabbath, and the burdens imposed on them by the corrupt religious leaders of the time. Jesus said of the Scribes and the Pharisees, “They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them” (Mt 23:4). They could not liberate themselves from that pathetic situation and needed external help from God through his pastors.
And helpless like sheep without a shepherd.
Unlike wild goats that are adapted to take care of themselves, domesticated sheep need a shepherd for their survival and protection. In Palestine, during the Biblical times, the sheep were reared in large open hilly areas. They roamed for kilometres with no fence for safety and thus needed protection from wild animals and thieves. Jesus mentioned the attack of thieves: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber” (Jn 10:1). The harm of wild animals is clear from Jesus’ statement, “A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them” (Jn 10: 12).
Sheep need the shepherd’s guidance to keep them out of danger. When wandering, they could fall off a cliff or get lost in the wilderness because they follow one another blindly. The sheep cannot defend themselves from the attack of wild dogs and other dangerous animals or predators, except running away from them. If the leader gets lost, all the rest might end up in danger. If the sheep is attacked or scared, they will flee instantly and will be scattered. That makes them restless, making them wander off even farther and get lost from the herd. The shepherds keep watch of these and prevent from such mishap.
Sheep need guidance of the shepherd for green pastures, still water, and grooming. Grooming is needed to prevent overgrowth of wool that can become matted, heavy, dirty, and infected with parasites that might lead to illness and even death. Thus, sheep are helpless without the service of shepherds. Jesus found the people were like sheep without the care of shepherds.
In the Old Testament, Israel was God’s sheep. However, the shepherds he appointed to nurture them were dishonest. Through Jeremiah, God said, “Lost sheep were my people, their shepherds misled them, leading them astray on the mountains; From mountain to hill they wandered, forgetting their fold. Whoever happened upon them devoured them” (Jer 50:6-7a). Micaiah said: “I see all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd, And the LORD saying, These have no master! Let each of them go back home in peace” (1 Kgs 22:17; 2 Chr 18:16). A similar situation had occurred during the public ministry of Jesus. He had to replace the unfaithful and irresponsible shepherds with new ones because without the good shepherds, the sheep would be lost or become prey of predators.
Like the Israelites who were under slavery in Egypt, the people were suffering and needed liberation from the burdensome life. God selected Moses and Aaron to lead them when they were lacking leadership. Jesus saw in person the tears and aspirations of the people during his public ministry. So, he wanted to replace the false shepherds with the true ones with his Father’s help.
(37) Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the workers are few.”
Jesus switched the metaphor of sheep and shepherd to the harvest and the harvesters. The Old Testament presents Israel as the vineyard of God. Jesus noticed the vineyard and wheat fields were vast and ripe for harvest. But the faithful harvesters were few. Jesus had to harvest the good grapes and grains for God, its owner. Faithful reapers are needed to do the job.
(38) “Ask the master of the harvest therefore to send workers to gather his harvest.”
The harvest here represents the spiritually abandoned people in the world. God is the master of the harvest. The field and everything in it belong to God. He produces grains or fruits in them. He entrusts workers to harvest them. Through the parable of the Sower (Lk 8:4-8) and its interpretation (Lk 8:1115), Jesus presented the role of the preachers and the mindbased output of the listeners. The harvesters can be parents in families, clergy, religious, and lay ministers in parishes, and missionaries in mission areas.
Jesus prepared an action plan and trained his disciples to continue his mission. He asked his disciples to pray to God for good shepherds as his successors. Even those whom God selected as His labourers could fall, as it was with Judas Iscariot. So, we need to pray for the labourers of God that they serve being faithful to their call.
MESSAGE
1. Jesus had only three years and a few months to do his public ministry. However, he spared neither effort nor time in fulfilling his ministry. Our lifespan in this world is limited. Are we working hard to build the Kingdom of God in our families, parish, and society?
2. The Bible does not record any instance when Jesus denied favours to people who approached him for help. How are we in our approach to the less fortunate in the community?
3. Jesus delayed in responding to the blind men. He was assessing their faith. Do we get disappointed or disheartened when our prayers are not answered according to our time expectations?
4. The speech-impaired and demon-possessed person was helpless even to approach Jesus. Others brought him to Jesus. Are we likewise willing to bring others to Jesus?
5. As part of healing, Jesus expelled the demon from the demoniac. We also might suffer from dangerous addiction issues or rivalry with others that hinders our spiritual liberty. Are we willing to expel it with God’s help?
6. Jesus felt pity for those who were pastorally abandoned. He cured the sick and did miracles of mercy. His feelings came into action. Are we doing what we can to continue the acts of mercy Jesus started?
7. Jesus asked his disciples to pray for more labourers to serve the kingdom of God. Let us pray for more vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and lay apostolate. While promoting vocations, let us also support our missionaries who spread the kingdom of God in the remote areas.
