July 29, 2012 Heart Leader

Heart Leading Matt 9:35-38 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching 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.” NOTICE HERE how Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ compassion. He saw his people as “harassed and helpless” victims of the life. They were wandering aimlessly along each day, not sure of what to believe or who to follow. Have things changed any? I don’t think so. In fact, it seems our world today is more “harassed and helpless”, more confused than ever about who to follow and what to do. Why is this? I think for one thing, our “shepherds” in the modern era have been untrustworthy. We see in politics and in the church, in our communities and in our homes, a lack of God-based leadership. People in authority are too often seeking after their own desires. This was certainly true of the Pharisees—they so ignored Christ’s healing power, they claimed he was of the devil! Their fear of losing power and authority in their little world blinded them to the true universal reality Jesus showed to them. And that is too often the way it still is. Too many leaders today are more concerned about their own authority than about Christ’s truth. The result is confusion reigns as people lead in their own way for their own purposes. Where does change begin to follow Jesus in our world? It begins in your heart, your family, your church and your community. It’s True! Jesus needs you to be a heart leader for Jesus.