St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 1, Transferred Power.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Power given to the Apostles).
 
The disciples of Christ are finished with their apprenticeship.  They have traveled with Christ throughout the district and watched him heal the sick, cure the lame, cast out demons, and learned first hand his thoughts about his ministry of preaching and miracles.  Christ is keenly aware of the great harvest that is available.  He is also aware of the laborers that are not available to complete the harvest.  He has chosen the few who are qualified and he must work with them to prepare them for the tasks ahead.

So the time has come for the internship to begin.  He has taught them in the classroom.  Now it is time for them to get out into the field and practice what he has taught them.  St Matthew tells us in this verse that Christ gave them power.  He gave them temporary power to cast out demons.  He gave them temporary power to heal the sick.  And he sent them forth to demonstrate the power that he had given to them.  For they would be the laborers in the field.  They would be the workers of great miracles after his mission is complete.  They would become the teachers of tomorrow that would spread the good news of the kingdom of heaven to the sheep.  They would be the shepherds of tomorrow.

So they went forth into the villages and the towns and ministered to the people.  They told of Christ the Messiah.  They told of the kingdom.  They told of the good news.  The told of the beatitudes.  They told of the new principles of life that Christ handed down on the Mount.  And they cast out demons.  They fought against principalities.  They fought against the demons of old who walked the earth and had kingdoms amongst men.  For Christ had given them the power to do so.  And they fought boldly and bravely and had many conquests.  And the Spirit of Christ went with them wherever they went.

Two thousand years later we still fight the battle.  We are still in the war to win souls.  Much has changed since the time of the disciples and much still remains the same.  Christ still seeks qualified candidates.  He still seeks laborers for the harvest and he still transfers power to fight the battles of today.  Will you accept the power that Christ wants to give you today?  Will you join the harvest and reap the rewards of a good and faithful servant?  Christ wants you, just as Uncle Sam wants you.  Come join the fight.
   

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verse: 38, The Apprenticeship.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The mission of the Apostles) Part 4.  

Christ looks out amongst the crowd of people and sees lost sheep.  He sees people that are bewildered.  He sees people that are puzzled.  He sees people that have lost their spirit of life.  There is a need for shepherds to lead them and he is training the disciples how to be good shepherds.  The harvest is great but the laborers are few.  He says to the disciples,  "Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest."   

Christ is looking out over the crowd thinking about those souls that need healing.  But he is also looking out across the land and seeing the hundreds and thousands of people that are just like those that he sees, those who are also lost and in need of a shepherd.  The disciples are only twelve.  Their task is great.  They are the original ones who trained with Christ.  They are the ones who must duplicate themselves and train others, who will in turn train others, and so on.  The need must be met.  Pray that the Lord of the harvest finds workers to help in the harvest.  Pray the the Lord of the harvest sends forth workers in all walks of life to lead the people.  Pray that the workers are open to the head master, who will direct them here on earth.  Pray that the workers will be open to receive the Holy Spirit to guide them and direct them in the tasks that are needed today.

The Lord of the harvest is hiring today.  He is looking for workers.  He is looking for laborers.  He is looking for people who are open to receive the instructions of the Holy Spirit.  It does not matter if you have a degree.  It does not matter if you have a high school diploma.  It does not matter if you are educated in the scriptures.  The Holy Spirit will direct all.  The Holy Spirit will teach all, in the ways of the Lord.  The Holy Spirit will train each worker in their specific task and guide them along the way in their on the job training.  All that is needed is a willing mind and an open heart.

The  pay is unbelievable.  The benefits surpass all.  The rewards are out of this world and you get to see the results of your work.  Come shepherds, the flocks are waiting directions.  They need to be led to greener pastures.  They need to be protected from the wolves.  They need to be led to the waters of life.  They need you.  Christ is calling.  Christ is waiting.  Christ is seeking for workers.  Will you come and work for Christ?

St Matthew, Chapter 9, verse: 37, The Apprenticeship.

Our paragraph topic is:  (The mission of the Apostles) Part 3.  

37 Then he said to his disciples , "The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few."  

Christ is traveling throughout the district teaching and preaching.  He watches the crowds that gather to hear him.  As he looks out over the crowds his heart is moved with deep feelings of sympathy and sorrow for the people.  He sees their pain.  He see their sorrow.  He sees the hurt in their hearts.  He knows their confusion.  They have heard great things about Jesus.  They have heard the miracles that he has performed.  They have a glimmer of hope in their hearts.  They have drowned visions of a better future for their lives.  They toil and sweat and labor without gain.  They are confused, puzzled, and perplexed, not knowing which way to turn or which direction to take.  

Christ comes and speaks to them about the gospel of the kingdom.  He tells them about the good news.  He offers a better way of life.  But the people are without spirit.  He knows the lessons that they were taught before.  He knows the confusion that they face having followed the teachings of the Pharisees.  He teaches something different.  He teaches something new.  He teaches love.  He teaches peace.  He teaches life.  And the people are dejected and puzzled.  They need a leader to lead them.  They need a good shepherd.

The disciples are their by his side, as Christ instructs the people and teaches the disciples to become leaders, good shepherds.  He teaches the people to love.  He teaches the disciples to love one another.  He teaches the people peace.  He teaches the disciples how to be at peace.  He teaches the people forgiveness.  He teaches the disciples how to forgive.  He teaches the people faith.  He teaches the disciples the power of faith.  He teaches all the things that they will need to know to begin this new life that they will embark upon after he has departed.  He shows the disciples how to live, how to have life, how to love, how to have peace, how to have faith in him.

Christ looks out amongst the crowd and sees the need.  He sees the need for leadership.  He sees the need for shepherds.  He sees the harvest of people waiting to be instructed in the ways of the Lord.  But there are few laborers.  Christ says, "The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few."   Few have followed in his footsteps.  Few have passed the test.  Few have qualified.  Few are ready to work.  Christ is hiring but the candidates are few. 

The Spirit calls today for laborers.  The harvest is great even today, but the workers are few.  All the workers are out chasing the pleasures of the world.  All the workers are out seeking the wages of sin in the world of the sinners.  They are blinded.  They are deaf.  They are misled.  They travel the wide path of destruction not knowing the road they travel.  Christ is hiring today.  Are you ready?  If you were called to follow Christ, to be a shepherd, would you take up the staff and lead?