Matthew 9:35-38

Matthew 25:31-46

Matthew 28:16-20

John 21:15-19

Philippians 2:1-11

Isaiah 58:6-12

What do these verses tell us about the return of Christ?

In what ways do the passages describe the need to be ready?

What actions accompany those who believe in and are preparing for His coming?

What is the Spirit showing the Church or ourselves regarding our role in bringing the kingdom of God to the world around us?

Awaken. What a journey we have been on as we have explored the scriptures to understand what characterizes those who live awake to the life and calling of Jesus, awake to the promptings and power of the Holy Spirit and awake to the reality that Jesus will one day return. Now we turn our gaze outward. Those who are awake to the life of God within can not ignore the needs of the world without. After Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4, he tells his disciples, “Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white for harvest.” 

Similarly in Matthew 9, after interacting with broken people in a broken world we read, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” (Mt.9:36-38)

An awakened people of God is the light of this world. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus reminds His listeners that no one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel, but rather it is placed on a stand so that it gives light to the whole house. In the same way, Jesus says, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Mt.5:14-16)

We are all awakened to different needs. Here are some of the needs that the verses in this study pointed out and how we might be prompted to meet them:

• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Welcome the stranger
• Clothe the naked
• Visit the sick
• Come to the prisoner
• Make disciples of all nations
• Provide encouragement in Christ
• Provide comfort from His love
• Participate in the Spirit
• Fast on behalf of the oppressed
• Bring the homeless poor into your home
• Feed His lambs
• Tend His sheep
• Feed His sheep
• Intercede on behalf of those in need

Clearly the needs in this broken world are endless. I can easily feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of brokenness and suffering all around me. Where do I begin and will whatever I do really make a difference?  Perhaps you have had this thought as well. It can become paralyzing if we compare what we have to offer with the immensity of needs that we are made aware of. But, He is the Lord of the harvest. He is fully aware and able. It is up to Him to dispatch us as He chooses. 

Mark 13:34 states that the return of Jesus is like a man going away…”and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task.” If you don’t know what your “assigned task” is, that is okay. The more you spend time with Him, the more you love Him and obey Him because you love Him, the more you invite the Holy Spirit to fill you and empower you, the more awakened you will find yourself to see those around you as He sees them. Our eyes are on our Lord and our ears are open to His calling. It is not about comparing ourselves with each other or measuring our “impact” with each other. It is about pleasing and serving our Savior Jesus and participating in the good works that He uniquely has prepared beforehand for us to walk in. So that when He returns, and He is coming, we can hear him say to us, “Well done good and faithful servants. Enter into the joy of your Master.”