SEE FROM THE MASTER’S EYE
MATTHEW 9:35-38
by Pastor Dong Vilan
People see things differently. We have our own way of seeing things. Sometimes, we only see a part of the whole picture. We can't see the whole picture right away because we fall short. Though we see and think with soundness but still our view and perception are limited. We still fall short.
In fact, the Lord has something to say about our shortsightedness in Isaiah 55:8-9 "The LORD says: "My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. 9Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours. (CEV)" The Lord sees our thoughts and ways with limitations. On the other hand, the Lord's thoughts and ways are higher or unlimited. Therefore, we need to see from the master's eye. Seeing from the masters' eye will allow us to perceive the whole picture. For instance in Matthew 9:35-38, while Jesus was traveling from all towns and villages He saw the crowds. He saw their condition. According to the Master, they were "harassed and helpless" (Mt.9:36b). In the depths of their soul, Jesus saw that they were hurting. In fact, they were likened to a "sheep with out a shepherd" (Mt.9:36c). In their wounded condition, Jesus had compassion on them.
Jesus showed his compassion to all people. In fact, it was His compassion that compelled Him to preach, teach, heal, and empower the poor and the oppressed (Luke 4:18-19). He went to "all" villages and town so that people will experience His life changing compassion. This life changing compassion was felt and experienced by His disciples. As their master, Jesus presented a challenge to them. In Matt. 9:37, Jesus said that "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." In other words, people all over the world have not yet seen, heard, and experienced Jesus. Furthermore, we can sense the urgency of the challenge since the work is already in its "harvest" stage. In fact, according to Jesus the harvest is already ripe (John 4:35).
If no one will respond to this challenge, the opportunity of a harvest will pass. However, if there are only few who will join the challenge, only little work as well will be accomplished. As a result, many will not experience the Master.
Though the challenge is great and urgent, Jesus mentioned that we can "ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the field." (Matt.9:38). Although there are only few people who are working in this challenge, yet the Lord calls people to participate in it. He calls people (the elderly, youth, young adult and children; male and female; rich or poor) to participate in this challenge because He is the Lord of the harvest. In other words, this is His challenge. This is His harvest. We are in His harvest field.
When Jesus step out and went out to all the towns and villages, he saw the crowds seeking. asking, and waiting for His help. Jesus saw their soul. They needed a shepherd that will lead them to the fullness of life.
As a shepherd, Jesus is compassionate. Though the crowds perceived their emptiness, yet they are precious in the eyes of the compassionate master. In fact, in the master's eye, everyone is worth dying for.
When we see from the master's eye we perceive the whole picture. In fact, we realized that we are recipients of His compassion and participants in His harvest field. Those who saw. heard and experienced Jesus are actually his workers and his partners.
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