Matthew 9:35-38 ESV And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in all their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into this harvest.”
Do you know what a sheep without a shepherd is? Doomed. Sheep cannot survive without a shepherd. They are slow moving creatures with no significant defense against predators. Without a shepherd to protect them they would quickly turn into prey for whatever hungry hunter happens to be around.
Jesus looked at the people and saw that they were spiritually defenseless. The Bible likens the devil to a lion prowling for his next meal (1 Peter 5:8). Without protection, humans are easy prey for him. He attacks and draws people into depression and depravity. Mankind’s only hope is the gospel of God’s kingdom.
Since the gospel is the only hope for salvation, Jesus proclaimed it Himself and He rose up people to spread the message across the globe. As Jesus points out, there has always been a constant shortage of people proclaiming the good news of redemption. From Jesus’ time till today, thousands die every day without ever hearing about God’s offer of reconciliation.
The remedy is prayer. Jesus did not say that there weren’t enough evangelists so go evangelize. He told His disciples to pray for more workers for the soul harvest. That is what I encourage every Christian to do. Pray every day that God will increase the labor force of those actively witnessing about God’s kingdom and what needs to be done to become a part of it.
A word of warning though. God will answer that prayer in a powerful way, and He will start with you. If you sincerely pray for God to send workers into the field on a regular basis then I guarantee God will begin to work in your heart. He will place a burden in you to share the gospel. Then he will show you the field where He wants you to work.
I do not mean that God will send you to some far-away country, though He might. For most Christians though, God just opens their eyes to those around them that need to hear the message of salvation. Your work place, your neighborhood, your families, and your social clubs become your mission field.
God will show you the best way to share the gospel. Sometimes that involves actually telling the person, but most of the time it means living a life that portrays Jesus. When we live the way God directs, then people will see God in us and through us. We become lights in the darkness. That leads to natural opportunities to tell people about God and His offer of salvation.
So heed Jesus’ command and pray earnestly for God to send laborers into the harvest.
Lord, You are Lord of all, including the harvest. Send workers into the fields to rescue those who are in danger of the devil’s deceptions. Let me be one of those workers and give me natural opportunities to tell people about You.