NECC 2026 Saturday Morning - Lucio Aguirre
Lucio presents Matthew 9:35–38 as the heart of the Gospel’s second major section, placed between the record of Jesus’ works (Matthew 8–9) and His commissioning of the disciples (Matthew 10). This passage reveals the spirit behind both Christ’s ministry and the mission entrusted to His followers. Jesus taught, proclaimed the kingdom, healed the sick, and delivered the oppressed. His miracles were more than displays of power: they showed His compassion. In touching and restoring the suffering, He took up human misery, anticipating the fuller work of the cross. His healing signs also point beyond physical relief to the eternal salvation found in Christ. He bears our burden and gives Himself to us. Seeing the crowds as distressed and shepherdless, Jesus viewed them not merely as needy people but as a harvest ready to be gathered. His compassion invites His disciples to see others as He does and to pray for workers to be sent into the harvest. Love, rather than righteousness considered in isolation, is presented as the motive underlying redemption. The parable of the Good Samaritan exposes the lawyer’s mistaken confidence that he could earn eternal life and define the limits of his neighbourly duty. Like the wounded traveller, sinners are helpless and need a Saviour. Having received Christ’s mercy, believers are called to show mercy to others. The account of Mary and Martha adds that such service must flow from fellowship with Christ. Mary’s attentive listening exemplifies the continuing dependence that shapes believers into His likeness. Martha’s distraction and criticism warn that distance from the Lord can foster a judgmental spirit. Abiding at Christ’s feet enables compassionate service.
Outline
The passage’s place in Matthew: Christ’s works lead into His commission to the disciples.
The compassion of Jesus: He bears human misery and gives Himself as the hope of eternal salvation.
The harvest: Jesus calls His disciples to see people as He does and pray for workers.
The Good Samaritan: The helpless need mercy; those who receive it are called to show it.
Mary and Martha: Fellowship with Christ sustains loving service and guards against criticism.
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
