Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.
Matthew 9:37-38 AMPC
The Context and Focus:
The verses above were taken from a chapter that had Jesus perform several miracles. A man who had been paralysed was healed, after Jesus first pronounced his sins forgiven, and another two men, who was both blind, and one man who was mute due to being possessed by demons, were also healed. We also read the story of the young girl who had died, and the woman with the issue of blood, who were both raised to life and healed. Two things that run through all these stories are the power of sin, as well as the power of Jesus to heal, save and deliver. It is very clear that the devil's assignment is to steal, kill and destroy, but the mission of Jesus is to give men life, the kind that never ends. Another thing these stories show is that there is a deep need in the hearts of men for the full expression of the power of God. The world is in need of divine help; we are running towards a precipice, and in danger of falling into trouble if God does not help. He cannot force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of a man's freewill. I have to consciously and deliberately allow Him work in me that which He desires.
The Message:
Somewhere in the midst of all these stories, we find the story of the call of Matthew, the one credited with writing the book from where the verses above are taken. He was a collector of taxes, a job that was hated by the Jews, but he was at his duty post when Jesus came calling. When Matthew was called, he also reached out to other tax collectors like himself, who all sat at table with Jesus. Jesus used this opportunity to also teach the crowd about his mission and assignment, and the fact that he was interested in men coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus. The best use of a man's life is to use it for the pursuit of a purpose that will outlive Him. As powerful as God is, He needs representatives in all spheres of human endeavour to be His ears, eyes, feet, hands and heart. From the verses above, it was clear that Jesus was concerned about the welfare of the crowd always following Him. He could see the immense need, but there was also a need for commensurate help to address the need. Is there any point to identifying a need if you not desire to be part of the solution? Is talking about it enough, or would you take a step in faith to be a vessel God can count on in these times?
The Conclusion:
The prayer of Jesus above is very relevant to our present days. The devil is busy at work, but God is also busy. The devil finds idle hands and minds he can use, but God is looking for available and surrendered vessels. As we take a look around us, the signs of a dying world stares us in the face. The effects and consequences of sin continue to operate, but for as many as would surrender their lives to Jesus, they become the vessel God can count on to bring the harvest home. Indeed, the earth is ripe for plucking. Men have tried so many options and have failed, and are seeking answers to the question of eternity. No other person or thing can fill the gap only God can. No activity can fill the void that the absence of God in a man's life can create. For all who have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, the work is given to us to go into the fields and bring in the harvest. Souls are perishing in sin, and only the blood of Jesus can save and deliver from sin. We must pray to God for his help and guidance, and when he has answered, we must be ready to go out in obedience to His Word. He waits for us; how would we answer? God's time of favour is here.
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