Matthew 9:35-38
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for 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 laborers are few; 38therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Jesus’ response to criticism: Carry on. Although he had just been accused by the Pharisees of being a tool of the devil, Jesus spends no time arguing with them or defending himself. His work speaks for itself. He does the work of God with grace, purpose and power. But there is work to be done; the gospel of the kingdom must be proclaimed. Diseases and afflictions must be healed. Crowds call for his compassion. There is a harvest to be gathered.
One of the great time and energy wasters which we all too easily get caught up in is that of emotional self-defense. When we are criticized it is all too easy to enter into an argument about whether or not we are correct, rather than to seek to do the good and right thing. Jesus could have been dissuaded by the Pharisees’ attempt to discredit him, but Matthew mentions nothing of it; it’s clear that Jesus is on a mission and will not be distracted. He also knew that his mission would end at the cross.
If our actions are good and well-motivated, we can press on to do the good work and bring the blessing that honors God and blesses our neighbor. We need spend little time defending ourselves, better to continue to do what God calls us to do. In this case we are to pray that God will send laborers into his harvest. This is a high and noble calling, worthy of our focused pursuit.
David Bahn - Reflections 
Leave a comment