Daily Devotion for Saturday 6th December 2025

 
St Matthew 9: 35 – 38
 
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few;  therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’
 
Reflection
 
I can remember, when I grew up in South Africa in the 50’s and 60’s, getting to know the first woman minister ordained in the Congregational Church, the Revd Dr Unez Smuts. One of her gifts was healing people. In my childhood I was both surprised and comforted by this gift. And it wasn’t a gift that was widely shared across ministers in those days.

Jesus’ ministry was full of his healing of those who were sick, even in the midst of all his teaching and travelling and calling people to be his disciples. I can also remember, after I came to the UK, reading up about the NHS and the background of the Church’s ministry among the sick in such areas such as the setting up of hospitals which helped to contribute to the formation of the NHS.

There are times when I find myself wondering today whether the Church could again raise up the ministry of healing more fully, as part of a tradition which can sometimes feel more neglected in our shared life. Could we offer more in prayer on Sundays or during the week for those we know who are sick and suffering? Could we pray and work more for the NHS in all that it offers today, despite its many struggles?

Jesus said to his disciples ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few’. It feels like in our present society there are rising numbers of people with health issues, but not always enough ‘labourers’ to care for everyone’s needs, whether in the NHS or across the churches.

It’s not only about healing. We need more people today who feel able to speak out about God’s love, and demonstrate by their actions, the way this love might be lived out. As we do this, we might come to see more of the kind of world God is promising, in which there is not just judgement and argument, but the reality of love and healing.

Prayer

Loving and healing God,
help us to see again today the way your love and healing may take place.
Increase our care for the sick and our prayer for the suffering.
Deepen our care, in the Church, for those we know who are unwell.
Strengthen the NHS in its places of struggle.
May your harvest of love be more and more abundant.
Amen.
.