We read in verse 35 that Jesus went about all the cities, preaching, teaching and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Then, in verses 36-38, we find an interesting point. It says:
“(36) But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. (37) Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (38) Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
It was out of compassion and brokenness for these people that Jesus looked at His disciples and told them to pray for laborers to be sent out into the harvest fields of the earth.
When Jesus looked upon the multitude of people, He must have saw what looked like a field of grain ready for harvesting, but who would do the work? Who would labor in the fields? Who would preach to them? Who would reach out to them and teach them God’s word? Jesus had just been teaching and preaching the entire day in various cities and must have been exhausted. Now, at the end of the day, He finds an entire field of unguided people who have gathered to follow Him as sheep without a shepherd. How could one man reach all of them and who would reach the next city and the city after that? This is the same situation today. The entire earth is full of cities like this one, but who will go? Who will reach them?
Something interesting happens in the next chapter. Here we see Jesus send out the disciples as the laborers…The same laborers He had just told them to pray for! He told them:
“(10:7-8) YOU GO [and] preach, saying the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give [away].”
The disciples had become the answer to their very own prayers!
You see my friend, you and I have a great responsibility. We are not only called to pray for laborers, but we are called to be the laborers! God is calling us as laborers to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our friends, family and neighbors. We have the answer to their problems, Jesus Christ! Now He is waiting for us to step out and share the Good News with them and He will do the rest. You are God’s Plan A to reach the world for Jesus and there is no Plan B!
It’s time to step out of your comfort zone and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone you know, for the Harvest is ripe…But He’s waiting for you!
Yours in the Harvest,
Chris Mikkelson
Evangelist
Office: +1(763) 742-9607
Check out our website ! ChrisMikkelson.com
