As I read our passage today, I have question of myself. Am I so caught up in obeying God and joining Him in His work that I forget to pray for others to join God in His work with me? God so loved that HE gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to save people. He loves us enough to save ALL the world who comes to Him and believes in Him. It is not all up to me. It is not all up to you. This passage is another great lesson Jesus is teaching His disciples and followers then and now.
Imagine, Jesus looking out over the crowd of people who are now following Him because of His words, actions, miracles of compassion with a special love that attracts them. He doesn’t look or dress like a king but He is becoming King of kings in their thinking.
Jesus walks and talks with authority but exudes mercy and grace for all people, not looking down on anyone. He is sad and angry at the attitude of the religious and honestly tells them where they are missing the mark in relating to God, but it is a righteous anger because of His deep love for them. People have not experienced this kind of love of God for centuries.
Jesus now looks back over the following crowd and shares His wisdom for the work to His disciples. Jesus relates and explains that this saving work of the world that God so loves is huge. He tells them to ask the Lord of this harvest work to send help for this work that is God’s work. So, If Jesus told us to pray for more workers, we can be assured that this is a pray God will answer at just the right time.
It’s not about us. It not all up to us. That is a burden we don’t need to carry. It’s God’s work from start to finish.
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6
God begins the work and finishes the work. It is HIS work that is accomplished through us.
We agree the workers are few. So, how long has it been since we asked God for help in His work by sending more people to help in the harvest of souls?Do we look up long enough from the busywork of church to see others who God is preparing for the work of the harvest? God is sending. We need to notice.
Paul leaned the full weight of his existence on God while consistently praying for harvest workers. He multiplied the workers by training others who would train others who would train others in helping people find and follow Jesus who was the cornerstone of Paul’s purpose and focus as the “main thing” in God’s harvest work.
“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:12-14, NLT
While being imprisoned for doing this harvest work, the ministry explodes because of Paul’s tenacious instruction to the harvest workers outside the prison walls who will pass on this multiplication theology:“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” 2 Timothy 2:2, NLT
So, could that mean that while we are in quarantine prison, God’s work can still be harvested? YES! a million times YES! As never before God’s harvest fields are ripe. The time in our existence as mankind is right. The time is now. PRAY!
“The harvest is great, the workers are few”. The workers are clamoring for new ways and means, outside a building, to help people find and follow Jesus Christ…the MAIN FOCUS of our existence. PRAY to the LORD of today’s harvest to send out more workers along with wisdom. PRAY for us to notice, identify, encourage and bring along who God is sending. May we stand TOGETHER alongside each other to sweep over the harvest so that none would be lost.
The harvest is great. The harvest is now. PRAY.
We pray. God works.
Matthew 9
The Workers Are Few
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 sickness. 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.”
Lord,
Send help.
You are God and we are not.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 