Context:
In Mt ch 8-11, the King had shown His credentials, i.e. His power to the people. Towards the end of this series, in 9:34 the leaders rejected all the evidence and proclaim to the crowds that Jesus cast outs demons by the ruler of demons.
v.32-34 32 As they were going away, a man who was demon-possessed and unable to speak was brought to him. 33 After the demon was cast out, the man who had been mute began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel!” 34 But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of demons he casts out demons!”
1. The passage of 32-24 and 35-10:1 are closely related. The word, "crowds" is repeated in v.33 and in 36. Verse 35 starts with the word, "then" or "and"
2. The word "bewildered and helpless" v.36 are both in passive voice. Bewildered (BDAG-weary, harass), helpless (BDAG-w. no connotation of violence, but context may indicate some degree of rapidity, put/lay someth. down)
(BKC) Like sheep bothered by wolves, lying down and unable to help themselves, and having no shepherd to guide and protect them, the people were maligned by the religious leaders, helpless before them, and wandering about with no spiritual guidance. The religious leaders, who should have been their shepherds, were keeping the sheep from following the true Shepherd
3. The solution is in v.37-10:1
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest-ready fields.” 10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits so they could cast them out and heal every kind of disease and sickness.
When Jesus told the people, they needed new leaders, He was talking to His disciples. He told them to ask for new leaders from God. However, the One who send out more leaders was Jesus and the new leaders were the among the same group who prayed, i.e. the 12 disciples. Probably Jesus already knew what to do for He is the Lord of the harvest, but people needed to ask. Those who followed His command to pray would be the best candidate to be the workers. Therefore, some of them are sent out in 10:1.
Summary: As the leaders had harassed the sheep and left them in the helpless state by rejecting Jesus, the Great Shepherd, the Great Shepherd Himself had compassion over them. He knew that new leaders are needed to be the real leader to led people to Him. He challenged the disciples to ask. Obedience ones will be the best candidates to be leaders.
Reflection: Do I lead people to Jesus so that they would be protected and guided? Or do I just want me myself to protect and guide others? No matter how hard I try to protect and guide, without pointing people to Jesus, I am the one who made the sheep in bewildered and abandon state.
Do I follow Jesus' command and ask? If I dont obey God I will not be a good candidate to be a leader.
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