TSIYON NEWS - hurting world
Tsiyon Messianic Radio Newsletter - Vol 20.02 - 11/14/6024 TAM - 01/14/2025 AD
From Eliyahu
In Matthew 9:35-38, we see the heart of our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah, as He interacts with the people around Him. This is not only about the actions of Yeshua; it’s about His heart and His call to action for us, His disciples. Each verse echoes a profound truth about our mission as we follow Him. Let's consider this verse:
“Yeshua went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people." Matt 9:35
In this verse, we see Yeshua in motion—He is actively teaching, healing, and proclaiming the Good News. His ministry is characterized by movement and action. This is a reminder to us that our faith also requires action. Yeshua traveled throughout the cities and villages, preaching the good news of the Kingdom, namely, that He is the King of Israel, and that if the nation would repent and follow Him, He would reign over them.
He backed up this message with miracles, healing "every sickness" - clearly demonstrating that His claims are true. Note here that a bona fide offer of the Kingdom was made to Israel at this time. This offer was not just some item on a tick list He had to go through - it was motivated by something far more personal and noble than that.
"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd." Matt 9:36
Yeshua was deeply moved with compassion. The original Greek word for compassion (splagchnizomai G4697) implies a visceral, gut-wrenching empathy that originates deep down in the bowels of a person. It’s a feeling that demands a response in one's inner being. He was seeing something more than a mass of rabble before Him. They were individuals - suffering individual 'sheep' weighed down by the burdens of being “harassed and scattered.” Worse still, the shepherds of those sheep had abandoned them to their plight. He had not abandoned them though, if only they could hear and respond to His offer of grace.
2,000 years later this is still true. In modern terms, how often do we see people in our communities feeling lost, alone, and weary of a heartless world? We live in a world that can often feel like a sea of chaos, where many are struggling, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Much of that happens because even highly-educated people were never taught God's ways of truth, and were never touched by someone bringing them the grace that only comes through the King, Yeshua.
Yeshua’s response to such ones challenges us to not merely observe but to feel deeply for those around us, who do not have what we have in Him. His comment on this grabs us:
"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.'" Matthew 9:37
Sometimes we need someone to point out the obvious truth that most would like to ignore. Here, Yeshua does exactly that. In a world where so many are inundated with their own problems it seems just too much for them to look upon the endless sufferings of the vast sea of humanity. Yet, that overwhelming suffering everywhere is very real. Some will concede that, and then say; "But, what can one man do?"
The One Man who could - did!
Yeshua is not asking you to die for the sins of the world, that the sheep may be set free. He did that already! He is only asking you to bring that message to the hurting and the lost who so desperately need it.
The Kingdom has come! The King is ruling right now! The lost need to know that they can repent, follow Him, and that He will guide them to waters of truth and life - in His present Kingdom.
"The laborers are few" Yeshua says.
Yeshua shifts the focus from His own compassion to a call for action among His followers. He reminds us that the Kingdom harvest —a monumental work of healing, teaching, and redemption—is plentiful. There are countless individuals who are so needing the hope, love, and truth found only in Him. But, He goes on, “the laborers are few.” This is not a statement of despair, not from Him. Rather, it is a call to responsibility on the part of His disciples who have already found the hidden Kingdom treasure. Those who have received so much have so much to give in the harvest fields! No wonder Yeshua invites us to be a part of His mission.
As His disciples, we are called to become His laborers. But not only laborers. Fellow-workers with Him in the harvest. That is beautiful, that we are His fellow-workers, but it doesn't end there.
"Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest." Matt 9:38
As His fellow-workers we are never alone. The Father is the Farmer, the Vinedresser. It is His harvest and His Plan. So Yeshua reminds us of this crucial aspect of our mission—prayer. Yeshua urges us, His disciples, not just to set about the work blindly, or just according to our own mind. No, all must be in accord with our Father's will. We must pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers. His will must determine who they are, and where and when they are sent. (Jn 15:1)
Prayer is not passive; it ignites the heart and prepares us for service. When we pray for laborers, we’re not only asking God to raise up others but preparing our hearts to be among those laborers ourselves. It’s about saying to God, “Use me according to Your will.”
In our prayer life, we can ask our Father for things like: A heart of compassion like Messiah’s, eyes to see the needs around us, and feet ready to go where He sends us. We can pray for boldness to share our faith, love to offer to those in despair, and wisdom to guide others toward the truth of the Kingdom.
We can also ask for practical needs to enable us in His service. Remember, He cares about everything in your life and it is no strain on Him for you to be in constant communication with Him in all that you do.
Summing up:
This passage from Matthew touches on the heart of Yeshua and His great compassion for the lost and weary. It is a powerful reminder of our role as His followers—to recognize the overwhelming need around us, to step forward as laborers in His harvest, and to commit ourselves to prayer.
Let us take to heart the great challenge and invitation Yeshua extends to us today. May we cultivate a spirit of compassion, engage actively in His Kingdom, and regularly bring our petitions to the Lord of the harvest.
May we be a people who do not simply walk by those who are harassed and scattered without noticing their need, but instead are moved to prayer, and action according to His will, carrying forth the Good News of the Kingdom and witnessing the transformative power of Yeshua in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
What I've shared above are a few things from Matthew 9. Our live panel discussion tonight will bring in much more from this same chapter on the theme: Yeshua Brings Life to Scattered Israel. We begin tonight at Tsiyon.Net at 8 PM, Central. Join us and invite your friends on any of our streaming platforms. Prayer requests and comments are also invited.
Eliyahu
Tsiyon.Org
Click on the graphic to see the video.
"In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good courage!
I have overcome the world." John 16:33