Matthew 9:36-38

When [Jesus] 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 workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Pondering Point

Jesus intentionally immersed himself into our world out of compassion. He saw the helplessness and the harassment. He saw it at levels we may never know. It spurred him onto a life of love and good deeds. It drove him to a sacrificial death to pay for the sin of mankind.

His life was so intentional that God sent angels to both parents Mary and Joseph to make sure that he was aptly named Jesus – a name that means God saves.

Jesus urged his followers to ask the Lord of the Harvest for workers to go into the harvest field. The harvest must be gathered before it goes bad. Time is of the essence.

Prayer

Father God, you sent your Son Jesus to be our Savior from sin and our Deliverer into a life with you our God. We ask that you send workers into the harvest field of our day. As I pray for the harvest to be gathered, I offer myself to your service. Finally, as I dwell on the compassion Jesus had for people, inspire me to extend a compassionate hand to others in his name. Amen.

Luke 1:68-69

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.
~ Zechariah’s Song

Prayer

Father God, your Son Jesus is the ultimate missionary, sent by You to bring the Gospel to all the world. Your mission was always in the forefront of his mind, his actions, his life. As John the Baptist shed light on Jesus, and as those first disciples extended that light-sharing mission to the nations, let me and our church carry on your mission in Jesus’ name. Let our lights shine brightly. Amen.

Titus 2:11-15

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people… [it is] Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem
us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
~ Apostle Paul

Pondering Point

The Gospel’s core is this: The God-man Jesus coming to purify for himself a people to be his own. Let’s celebrate our loving Savior who comes for us – and be eager to do good for him. I heard a friend put it this way: Jesus, the incorruptible seed of grace was planted in the sinful, muddy mess of mankind to reap a harvest. That harvest is being gathered and I rejoice that I am a part of it – as both harvest and harvester!!!

Prayer

Father God, I am grateful to be redeemed from all wickedness in and around me. I rejoice that I am purified through Jesus, and I pray that your Holy Spirit leads me to eagerly do what is good in your eyes, living a self-controlled, upright and godly life. Until Jesus comes, show me how I can be a blessing in this world you are redeeming in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Luke 1:5-25

God's Disciple: Zechariah

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Based on testimony of the angel Gabriel, God is answering a prayer of Zechariah (and of his wife Elizabeth), likely one shared for years if not decades. Up to this point, they had never been able to have a child. That is the reason for this angelic encounter, to tell him that Elizabeth is going to give birth even in her late years.

Do you wonder how many years they prayed for a child? I wonder if they ever ceased praying as the natural window of childbirth passed them by. Regardless, God answered the prayer – way beyond their timing. It was likely one of their heart prayers, a type of prayer that stays with you even if it's not being consciously prayed out of your mouth – a yearning in you. What might your heart prayers be?

Prayer

God of angel hosts, you blessed Zechariah and his wife in their heart prayers. You fulfilled the yearnings of your people – the hopes and dreams of all the years by sending your son Jesus to be the Messiah. I pray that you would graciously bless my heart prayers as well – to your glory. Amen.

Prayer for the Pastor

This second prayer comes from Pastor’s personal daily prayer and he would relish you joining him in praying this prayer on his behalf.

Lord God Almighty, our Father and our God, I pray that you enable Pastor Paul’s mind (heart, soul, and will) to gain understanding – and that he humbles himself before You. God,

You are seeking after him and there are things happening around him that are calling for a deeper spiritual understanding and practice on his part. Help him to rise to the occasion.

Bless him as he comes to experience more of this needed spirituality in this climate of today. Help him choose to not settle for less, but hunger for you above all things. He comes at your request knowing that he cannot find you without the Holy Spirit. He needs you today.

Bless him to hear and follow. Show him the way and strengthen him as he pursues it. Guide him and enlighten him -- particularly in those spiritually dark places; encourage him when he gets weary, challenge him in the comfortable and ordinary places - and protect him, Father God, from his enemy, the evil one.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.