The miracle we are going to study today is found only in Matthew's gospel. This is a short passage of only seven verses rounding out chapter nine. Let's read it together.
Matthew 9:32-38 As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.
First of all there is so much to pull from this passage. The miracle is that a mute man was brought to Jesus. He was possessed by a demon and the demon caused the man to be unable to speak. We know that because it says when the devil was cast out the man was able to talk. This created a sense of awe and wonder in the people witnessing it. The religious leaders of the day could not explain it and so they decided to slander Jesus and accuse Him of using the power of the devil to cast out the devil. That makes no sense because why would the devil want the man to be free and to speak? Of course we know that Jesus is the Son of God and all power was given to Him and this is how the miracle transpired.
It goes on to say that Jesus went into the cities and villages healing all types of sickness and disease. He was still doing miracles. But, the last two verses show us what the heart of Jesus really looks like. He was never sent to the world to perform miracles and that be the end of it. Those were a big part of His ministry but the real reason He came was to ransom us to Himself and we see this posture of His heart having compassion on all those in need of a Savior.
The Bible says the people were weary. That is what it means in verse 36 when it says they fainted. These were oppressed people and they desperately needed a Savior. Jesus sees how many there are and He understands now is harvest time. There are not enough workers right now trying to bring in the harvest. So many today are distracted by the cares of this life, worldly fame and riches, and things that take us further away from the Father. Friends we must get back to the basics. What are we doing to bring in the lost?
Jesus told His disciples to pray that God would send workers into His harvest. We must pray the same thing. The lateness of the hour is upon us and there is not much time left to work for the Lord. We have to finish the work God called us to do so that we can finish our race strong! There are people who need to hear from you. They need hope and encouragement. They need to hear the words of Jesus and they need to know there is hope and He is the Savior they need.
Let's rejoice in the miracles that God is still doing today, but let's not lose sight that there is a whole world dying and going to hell if we don't throw them a lifeline and that lifeline is Jesus Christ.
I hope something I have shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens
