People are like sheep without a shepherd...but does it really matter?

I was reading this passage last night and a few things come to my mind. I am hoping we can have a discussion and prayerfully consider what the Lord is saying to us today, if anything.

"Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” (Matt 9:36)

What responsibility, if any do I have in regard to this scripture? Is this just for the Jewish people of Jesus day or is this for my day as well? Is Jesus asking me to pray for workers to be raised up...so that perhaps I might become one?

Or does this merely have some deeper, mystical explanation and we have no responsibilities at all to others? Is it okay if we just sail on obliviously unaware and uncaring of the plight of others? As long as we are ok and safe within the fold - is that all that really matters? Is that all that Jesus wants us to be concerned about, because He is the great shepherd and will care for the sheep Himself?

So what say you? Do we need to be stirred up at all about this or is Jesus perfectly happy with us spending hours arguing over non-essential issues while scattered and dispirited sheep tip headlong into hell each day - all around us?

You may also consider that Jesus was looking at people that had a false shepherd (they were following men), which still equaled, "sheep without a shepherd", meaning sheep without the true Shepherd.

Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Did Paul have this in mind?
Eze 34:9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
Eze 34:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock (poison food, false doctrine); neither shall the shepherds feed themselves (take advantage of the sheep) any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth (with His word), that they may not be meat for them (they are devouring their own sheep).
Eze 34:11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.

Always speak the oracles of God wherever you are, the sheep will hear His voice. The Enemy can't touch you.

Note: comments in parentheses are mine.

Jesus does not want us to argue over non-essential issues. The Word defines what is essential and we know He is the essential issue.

Matthew Henry has this to say and I tend to agree. WE ARE THE PRIESTS OF TODAY and as such are guilty of the same as the priests of Israels day who lived all around the sheep but did nothing because they did not have compassion.

"Jesus visited not only the great and wealthy cities, but the poor, obscure villages; and there he preached, there he healed. The souls of the meanest in the world are as precious to Christ, and should be so to us, as the souls of those who make the greatest figure. There were priests, Levites, and scribes, all over the land; but they were idol shepherds, Zec 11:17; therefore Christ had compassion on the people as sheep scattered, as men perishing for lack of knowledge. To this day vast multitudes are as sheep not having a shepherd, and we should have compassion and do all we can to help them. The multitudes desirous of spiritual instruction formed a plenteous harvest, needing many active labourers; but few deserved that character. Christ is the Lord of the harvest. Let us pray that many may be raised up and sent forth, who will labour in bringing souls to Christ. It is a sign that God is about to bestow some special mercy upon a people, when he stirs them up to pray for it. And commissions given to labourers in answer to prayer, are most likely to be successful.

Mark,

I just read this. Think it will resonate with you.

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=1458

Time to remember who we are in Christ!

Excerpt:

This testimony was deposited in the Church, and immediately the disciples presented it powerfully among the nations. Alas! In many respects the Church is now failing in its priestly vocation. This vital element of victorious life seems to be lacking. The letters at the beginning of the book of Revelation show that Christ was not satisfied with the churches' many good activities, zealous works, correct teaching, patient persistence in orthodoxy. He sought to call them back to their true task of demonstrating the power of His overcoming life in the face of every challenge. What ministry do we want? To be running around taking meetings, giving addresses, supporting Christian work? All this may be included, but it is of little value if it does not fit into the context of priestly warfare against death, the bringing in of the powerful impact of Christ's victorious life to meet death's challenge.

The book of the Revelation makes it plain that such a testimony provokes the animosity of Satan, but such enmity should be a compliment to us, for it means that our lives are really counting for God. The day when you or I are no longer involved in the spiritual battle will be a bad day, for it will mean that we have lost our true vocation and are no longer providing any real challenge to spiritual death but are failing in this matter of priestly ministry. On the other hand, the painful antagonism of the powers of evil may be a clear proof that we are truly serving as priests.

Test everything by life. The life that is victorious over sin. The life which delivers from bondage, especially the bondage of fear. The life which expresses itself in terms of love for needy sinners. Not only does John encourage us to ask for life, he assures us that in answer to such prayer God will give it - "...he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death". We must not fail in our priestly ministry.

Thanks Julius, that is such a good word!!!