Matthew 9:37-38 AMP
[37] Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is [indeed] plentiful, but the workers are few. [38] So pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.
Just in the chapter alone from where the verse above is taken, Jesus had healed a paralytic man, had called Matthew the tax collector to follow Him as a disciple, raised Jairus's daughter from the dead, healed the woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years, restored sight to two blind men, and delivered a demon-possessed man. These were just the recorded accounts in one single chapter of the bible. You would think that all who saw these miracles would be glad for God's intervention in human affairs, but not the Jewish leaders of Jesus' time. They would rather hold on to their traditions, rather than allow God move among the people.
There is this amazing testament to the effect and impact Jesus had among the people. It was recorded that Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages in Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom. He also healed every kind of disease and every kind of sickness, with His words and works both reflecting His Messiahship. What He did and taught were evidence of His ministry and assignment on earth. He was clear about His target, and He would not let anything at all dissuade or discourage Him. Just like Jesus, do I know why I have been planted in the place I am, and do I know what I have been gifted by God to do?
The one thing that Jesus will not compel is submission to Him. His heart is open with love and compassion, as we see in the verses just before the one above. When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion and pity for them, because they were dispirited and distressed, like sheep without a shepherd. These people had been led by men who were concerned first and foremost about control, not destiny. Pharisees and scribes were more interested in keeping their hold on men than in helping them find purpose. How can the blind lead the blind? This is why the prayer of Jesus here is instructive: there is a lot to be done.
Divinity has to meet and help humanity. The work is so huge that just human effort and labour alone will not make a single dent. The harvest is indeed plentiful. The world is in such dire chaos, and only the Prince of Peace has the answers it needs. Those who also understand what is at stake are also few. However, there is a Lord of the harvest who understands all the dimensions to this great assignment. It is not one you can apply sticks and swords for, and it is also not one you can use PowerPoint presentations alone to fuly explain how the kingdom of God works. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict men, and to empower them for the work needed. It is His work; His earth; His mission field. Would we all join Him at His work? God's time of favour is here.
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