Apr 27, 2026

JESUS SENT THE DISCIPLES TO THE FIELD

Passage: Matthew 9:35-10:15

Key verse: 9:37

NIV

chapter 9

35. 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.

36. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

37. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

38. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

chapter 10

1. Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

3. Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

4. Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.

6. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

7. As you go, proclaim this message: ’The kingdom of heaven has come near.’

8. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

9. "Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts -

10. no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.

11. Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave.

12. As you enter the home, give it your greeting.

13. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.

14. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.

15. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Jesus continued his ministry, proclaiming the gospel and healing in all towns and villages (35). While he worked tirelessly, his heart was filled with compassion for the crowd. He encouraged the disciples to be shepherds to those who were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (36, 37), and sent them out to the field.
The twelve disciples were equipped with the authority to drive out demons and heal diseases (10:1). They were to bring the gospel first to the Jews (6), to trust in God’s provision rather than saving extra cash or clothing for emergencies (10), and to deliver the good news to those who had their hearts ready (13). They were not to take rejections of the gospel personally (14). They had the field ready for harvest before them, and their number was few (9:37). They did not have time to waste worrying about their future or past failures. They were to keep moving on to care for the Lord’s lost sheep of Israel.
Have you accepted Jesus’ calling to work in his field? Would you be willing to put down your fear and anxiety, to be equipped with the authority that the Lord provides you with, and start working in his field today?

Prayer: Father, thank you for calling me as a shepherd for your flock. Equip me today with your Spirit to proclaim the gospel.

One Word: Send out workers!

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