Harassed and Helpless
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 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 9:35-38 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, When you saw the crowds in your community, you saw what I see today. You saw people who are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. When I read verse 36 in multiple translations, I get a vivid and disturbing picture of these people. They are faint, scattered, distressed, dispirited, bewildered, dejected, troubled, tossed aside, miserable, harried, confused, cast away, worried, weary, worn-out, downcast, discouraged, aimless, abandoned, hurting, and heart-broken....