This Is What Desperate People Need

Matthew 9:36-37 (NIV) – 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.

There are more desperate people in the world than those who are not. In fact everyone has some degree of desperation, that may or may not be easy to spot. A desperate situation is not a desirable situation. Therefore a solution to desperation is always welcome for those who understand desperation.

Desperation means you are in dire need but helpless. You have a disturbing situation but you are unable to resolve and you are not at peace. Desperation is consuming. Consumed in thoughts. Consequently fatigued and even resigned. Whatever causes desperation may not matter, desperation itself is terrible!

Matthew 9:35-36 (NIV) – 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming 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.

Jesus went through ALL urban and rural areas. Towns and villages. Jesus saw many desperate people. Jesus helped the sick. The Bible tells us that after Jesus had healed every disease and sickness, He still had a crowd. Jesus saw a crowd of desperate people. Jesus had compassion on these desperate people. They were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. They were desperate!

What made them desperate is not mentioned. It could have been poverty. It could have been government policies. It could be joblessness. It could be broken relationships. It could be losses of material things or loved ones. It could be failure. Whatever it was, the crowd had one thing in common- they were desperate. Harassed, distressed, troubled, worried, bewildered, confused, weary and worn out, dispirited, downcast, and above all helpless.

What solution did Jesus give to address such a desperate situation? What did Jesus prescribe for a situation that touched even Him? The Bible tells us that when He saw the desperate crowd, He had compassion on them.

Do we have compassion? When people gather in church, do we have compassion or we only see them as a source of income to fund projects? Do we have compassion or we see them as an audience to our theatrics, ill prepared monologues masquerading as sermons? Do we have compassion or do we see them as an audience for our performances in music etc? Do we have compassion or we see fans? Jesus saw them and He had compassion!

 After compassion did Jesus proceed to offer a solution? What solution did Jesus offer to the desperation He saw in the crowd? What did the all knowing Jesus recommend for these desperate people?

Matthew 9:36-38 (NIV) – 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.”

Desperation makes people to need God. The desire of all ages for desperate people is God. Desperate people are ready for God. They are ready to be harvested so that they can belong to God’s side. The desperate people represent a ready and plenty harvest. In desperation- people need God!

People Need the Lord

Song by Steve Green ‧ 1984

Everyday they pass me by

I can see it in their eyes

Empty people filled with care

Headed who knows where

On they go through private pain

Living fear to fear

Laughter hides their silent cries

Only Jesus hears

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

When will we realize people need the Lord?

We are called to take His light

To a world where wrong seems right

What could be too great a cost

For sharing life with one who’s lost?

Through His love our hearts can feel

All the grief they bear

They must hear the words of life

Only we can share

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

When will we realize that we must give our lives?

For people need the Lord, people need the Lord

Jesus said to His disciples that the preaching of the gospel is a solution to desperate people in the crowd. There is need for preachers. There is need for more preachers to permeate our society and all social media platforms. Desperate people need the LORD. Preachers will lead the desperate people to God in a sustained manner. The desperate people in the crowd are many but the preachers who lead them to God are few!

James 2:15-17 (NIV) – 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

The need for God doesn’t negate the need to address that which causes desperation. The need for God is superior and constant and should be addressed alongside a response to whatever makes people desperate. Therefore preachers are needed who are aware that people are desperate and it’s urgent!

Therefore preachers should preach what the Bible teaches on hope in this life and eternal life to come. Preachers need to address the present without losing focus on the future. People are desperate for the here and now, and also for what they perceive to be an uncertain future. God addresses our present and has a future prepared for us. People need both in equal measure. This is why preachers are needed!

When the crowds disperse after worship, are they leaving with hope in both the present and the future? Has their desperation for the present been addressed? Has their desperation for the future been addressed? Is there hope for the desperate crowds?

May God send workers who will address our desperation for the present and the future. May the source of our desperation be also addressed. May it please God to make us the much needed workers. In Jesus name, Amen!

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