Get to Work

Matthew 9:36-38 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.”

Jesus had been performing miracles throughout chapter nine in the gospel of Matthew. He had been healing the sick, blind, lame, and even raising the dead; can you imagine the crowd that had begin to follow him? He was not able to be whisked away in a limo by an armed guards (well, really he could have), he walked everywhere he went. Jesus was filled with compassion for those that sought him for every reason. The crowds would have been filled with either those seeking a miracle, those that had faith because of what they had experienced or seen, and those that were simply so curious, yet undecided in their faith in Him. It is the curiosity that God places in our hearts that draws us to Jesus. It is only the most hardened hearts that never even investigate, but simply turn away and deny in many ways. It is that curiosity that Jesus is wanting you to be a laborer of his in the harvest of eternal souls; to be a worker spreading the Gospel to all that are curious enough to hear.

The harvest in this context is spoken about in three of the four gospels by Jesus. Here in Matthew, in Luke ten, and again in John four. In all accounts Jesus is sending out, proclaiming the need, and showing the evidences of the need for his disciples to be evangelist. You are not a follower of Jesus, you are not truly saved if you do not possess the inner urge to share the gospel. A mark of your salvation is that desire to share what you possess with others. If you do not have that feeling, if you have doubt, that is God stirring your soul; repent and believe in the Hope you know is true; Jesus has been building that testimony in you to share with others now.

This world is falling apart because Satan is peaking in his limited power before Jesus returns very soon. The need for laborers, true disciples of Jesus, is greater than any time in history. There is a number, a need, a people group that God has not reached with the Good News yet. He will not return until all have heard. Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Jesus has put the circle of influence around you; your circle may be the as large as the internet or as small as your family. Jesus is pointing you to churches and sheperds to guide you along the way. Begin today to get to work for Jesus, doing your part to bring Jesus one day closer to his return.