The Cost of Discipleship

The focus here is on Jesus’s compassion for the multitudes, which is contrasted with the disciples’ more limited view. Jesus sees the masses as a “ripe harvest field of God” (202), while the disciples want to keep him for themselves. The notion of an “exclusive little coterie” (201) of believers is challenged, emphasizing that the gospel and healing power of Jesus belong to everyone, especially the sick and poor. The critique extends to the religious leaders of the time, labeled as “bad shepherds,” who failed to provide care, guidance, or comfort to the people. The real problem lies not with external forces like the Romans but with the “chosen ministers of the Word” (202) who have misused it. There’s a sense of urgency encapsulated in the phrase “the work of harvest brooks no delay” (203), urging the need for genuine shepherds to step into the field. The key message is that those who truly understand Jesus’s compassionate heart will see the masses not as burdens but as opportunities for healing, teaching, and ultimate transformation. There is an emphasis on collective responsibility and an urging for disciples to pray for “labourers” who can join this urgent work of compassion.