ACC ~ Matthew 9 v35 - 38

OVERVIEW:

Jesus went about in all the cities, in the countryside and in the synagogues, instructing all to respond to those who attacked him not in kind but with ever greater benevolence (CHRYSOSTOM). He had compassion on them because there was no shepherd to help them reap the abundance that the Holy Spirit was providing for them. No matter how much the harvest is gathered, it abounds all the more in fruitfulness (HILARY). The potential believers are many, the well-prepared apostolic leaders are few (JEROME). Jesus himself is the Lord of the harvest (CHRYSOSTOM).

9:35 | Jesus Goes About Preaching and Healing

IN ALL THE CITIES AND VILLAGES

CHRYSOSTOM: Jesus not only refrained from punishing his detractors for their insensitivity, but he did not even give them a simple rebuke. This gives further evidence of his meekness and refutes their malicious talk. He exhibits further proof of his glory by the signs that were to follow and the refutations that would become more explicit. For these reasons he went about in all the cities, in the countryside and in the synagogues, instructing all to respond to those who attacked him, not with fresh vilification but with ever greater benevolence. So do good to your companions not for their sake alone but for God’s sake. Whatever they may do, do not cease doing them good. Your reward will be greater. When you are vilified, if you quit doing good, you signify that you are seeking the praise of others, not the praise of God.

For this reason Christ was sent to teach us that he came simply to do good. He did not wait for the sick to come to him. He himself hurried to them, bearing them a twofold blessing: the gospel of the reign of God and the healing of their diseases. And for this he went everywhere, not overlooking the slightest village. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 32.3. [1]

[1] PG 57:378-79; NPNF 1 10:212**.

9:36 | Sheep Without a Shepherd

HE HAD COMPASSION FOR THE PEOPLE

HILARY: No instigator had stirred up the crowds. They were not harassed and helpless because of some mishap or disturbance. So why is Jesus so moved with compassion for these people? Clearly the Lord has pity on these people held in the sway of an unclean spirit and burdened by the law, because no shepherd was about to restore to them the guardianship of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of this gift was indeed potentially abundant but not yet harvested by anyone. The bounty of the Spirit overwhelms the multitude of those who take hold of it. For no matter how much it is gathered by everyone, it abounds in fruitfulness. And because it is good to have many people through whom he is served, he orders his disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth as many laborers as possible into the harvest. He prays that God may bestow an abundance of reapers to take hold of what the gift of the Holy Spirit was preparing. Through prayer and exhortation, God pours out this gift upon us. ON MATTHEW 10.2. [1]

[1] SC 254:216-18.

9:37 | The Harvest and the Laborers

THE LABORERS ARE FEW

JEROME: An abundant harvest signified the multitude of people. The few laborers signified the dearth of teachers. He commands them to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. These are the laborers of whom the psalmist speaks: “May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” [1] And that I may speak in broader terms: an abundant harvest represents all the believing multitude. The few laborers imply the apostles and their imitators who are sent to the harvest. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 1.9.37. [2]

[1] Ps 126:5-6 (125:5-6 LXX).

[2] CCL 77:63.

9:38 | Asking for Laborers

THE LORD OF THE HARVEST

CHRYSOSTOM: He shows how great the gift is when he says, “Ask from the Lord of the harvest.” And in an inconspicuous manner Jesus indicates that he himself is the one who holds this authority. Then to signify how promising is the harvest, Jesus calls them to “pray therefore the Lord of the harvest.” In doing so he indirectly declares this lordship to be his own prerogative. For after having said, “pray therefore the Lord of the harvest” when they had not made any request or prayer, he himself at once appoints them, reminding them also of the sayings of John, [1] about the threshing floor, the separation of the husks from the kernels of grain, the husks that are left over, and of the One who is winnowing. From this it is clear that he himself is the farmer, he himself is the Lord of the harvest, he himself is the master of the prophets. For if he sent them to gather the harvest, it is clear that they do not harvest what belongs to someone else. Instead, they harvest the things that he sowed through the prophets. In calling their ministry a harvest, he was encouraging them but also empowering them to this ministry. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 32.1-2. [2]

[1] Mt 3:12.

[2] PG 57:379-80; NPNF 1 10:213**.