A laugh of fondness

Albert Bogle June 19, 2026 2 0

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Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV-UK)

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’

Here we get a glimpse into the psyche of Jesus. I think I can see him shaking his head, displaying a wry smile as he shares his thoughts aloud in a loving, compassionate tone. He describes ever so kindly, to his disciples, the crowd following him as harassed and helpless — like sheep without a shepherd. He then changes the metaphor, suggesting that the people are like a harvest ready to be reaped, but he laments that there are no labourers ready to bring in the crop. This is the context in which he sends the twelve out in chapter 10.

For many of us in Sanctuary First, that harvest field is the internet. Today, we need to tune into the tenderness and compassion of Jesus when we take a look around social media. This is a place filled with people who are harassed and feeling helpless — used and abused by algorithms and powerful tech companies harvesting identities to control and manipulate unsuspecting subscribers.

Perhaps we need to speak counter-cultural words of compassion, grace, and comfort into the chat lines of social media. Words that speak freedom and hope to a lonely soul looking for love and honest community. Surely this is where the word of God can become a powerful tool of truth amidst fake news.

Will you pray today that God will open more doors for the labourers to come and join the team here in Sanctuary First as we seek to share the good news of the Kingdom? We want to bring the laughter of the Kingdom of God into the lives of those searching for a meaning that goes far beyond the joke — helping men and women live in the joy that comes from knowing what it means to applaud God.

Prayer:

Lord,

Shake your head at me

Let that wry smile

Bring tears to my eyes

Let your compassion flow through me

Let your laugh of fondness

Uncover the cries of the marginalised and lonely

Help me love the unloveable

Then I will truly

Encounter your loving embrace

And gather in — yes gather in

Sorrowful hearts

Bound together through tears of hope

On resurrection morning

Singing songs of Joy

Lord, let your kingdom come!