Harvest Hands

As I was reading the scriptures this morning I landed in the book of Matthew, specifically chapters 7, 8 & 9.  I found it very interesting to note that Jesus at this point in the writing had been all over the place touching peoples’ lives and healing the sick. These chapters contain the healing of the blind men, the woman with the issue of blood that touched the hem of his garment, the calming of the storm and at the end of chapter 8, he drove the demons out of two mad men and sent them to dwell in a nearby herd of pigs. Well, the pigs ran over a cliff and were subsequently drowned in the sea. 

Here’s the part that made me pause though. It said, starting in verse 28 that when Jesus arrived on the shore and got out of the boat that he was met by two madmen (demon filled) coming out of the cemetery area. It states that these demon filled men had terrorized the area for so long that no one from the town considered it safe to even walk down that stretch of road anymore. So, the freedom to go wherever they wanted was cut short by the demons that occupied these men. The townspeople were limited and held captive to their town area and could not enter the land of the demoniac men for fear of their safety. That’s pretty clear to me. So the story goes that Jesus moved on the behalf of the men and set them free by sending the demons fleeing into the pigs who in turn died in the sea. Now, here’s the strange part, or maybe not! When the townspeople found out what had happened you would have thought they would have run from their houses to see and to thank Jesus for giving them back their freedom to go down that road once more and also for giving freedom back to the men who were probably residents of their town at one time. But. . . . . . . . Wait for it.. . .. .. . . .the people came down that road but they came in the form of an angry mob. They wanted Jesus to go away and never come back. And do you know why? They were angry about the drowned pigs! Yes, you heard it right. Something that was insignificant and didn’t matter a lick in the whole scheme of what had just happened. They were thinking about themselves and maybe their pocketbooks or their bellies or who knows what else. And here’s a note for you to study if you want to take it that far. . . . . .the townspeople may very well have been Jews and by Jewish custom/law, they were not permitted to keep swine! Hmmmmm But truth be known they were merely acting like the rest of the world and doing what they desired over what God desired them to do. We can see a very clear picture here of worldly mentality versus Godly mentality. 

Have you ever done what you thought was the Godly thing, acting as Jesus would have, and instead of being met with thankfulness and kindness filled with gratitude you were met with anger and harsh words of ingratitude? Well, I’m here to tell you that it does happen and if you take a long look at the situation you would probably see that the bad reaction was rooted somehow in selfish and entitled feelings. Worldly reactions with empty and self centered undertones. It happens. It happened to Jesus so it will most likely happen to us at some point in our lives. Chapter 9 then begins “. . . . Back in the boat, Jesus and the disciples recrossed the sea to Jesus’ hometown”. He left! There was obviously nothing he was going to do to change the hearts and minds of an angry mob at that point so he went on about the Fathers business somewhere else. 

We can’t change ungrateful or self centered hearts. Only God can do that. Don’t stay where you are not wanted or stand and get beat up and persecuted. There are far too many others out there who need what we have to give them in Christ. 

Later on in chapter 9 it says that Jesus continued touching and healing those in need. He was still of course criticized by the Pharisees. It says in verse 36 in the Message that “when He looked out over the crowds His heart broke”.  He then said how huge the harvest was and told his disciples “on your knees and pray for harvest hands”. That’s what I’m doing today, that’s my prayer focus. “Lord, send HARVEST HANDS and make me a better worker, one that doesn’t faint in the midst of the heat that the world brings”. 

Insight Insert: In order to bring in a harvest you must first

be willing to get your hands dirty. It isn't going to always be easy

but it will always be rewarding. I challenge you to call someone

this week that you know has been struggling or that you know 

needs your loving hands to get down in the trenches with them 

and help them out. I don't know what that looks like for each of you

but it could mean getting your hands a little dirty or doing something that isn't so very pleasant. Be willing to do what Jesus did for those men but also be ready to be met with resistance possibly. It might be tough but I'm here to tell you that the beautiful harvest won't come if you don't get your hands a little dirty. Trust me, it will be worth it if you endure. 

Scripture: John 4:35. ” Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest”

Matthew 24:13 “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”