Matthew 9:35-38(NLT) “38 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
One of the reasons that this passage is so profound is because it’s very much the condition of the world and the time we’re living in today. There is so much confusion and despair in the world, and when you look at the state of our nation, it is chaotic and lacks true direction. It would be wonderful to say that this chaos and confusion hasn’t impacted the Christian community, but indeed it has. Numbers of new believers seem to be declining, and many of us who have been on this journey a while haven’t taken seriously our obligation to work in God’s fields for the harvest. It is evident that there is too much politics and not enough of the love of Christ in the hearts of God’s people. We are being blinded and bamboozled by the devil. We must wake up and get back to the example of Christ and focus on the work he has called us to do.
This spiritual lesson that Jesus Christ taught about the harvest occurred over 2000 years ago. Yet, the harvest is still great because there are so few workers in the fields. If we were collectively and corporately working in the harmony and unity of Christ, more lives would be saved, and less chaos would be the result. People are hurting and they don’t know where to turn. They are confused and don’t know who they can trust. Believers should be the ones to lovingly fill this gap. People should have a sense that they can trust those that have a genuine heart of Christ.
Our Lord and Savior taught us in Matthew 5:15-16 (NLT), “15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Our Lord Jesus is the light! He’s the way, the truth, and the life and no one can come to God unless they come through him (John 14:6). As born-again believers, we have the light of Christ inside us, and it is our responsibility to shine it forth in the earth that God receives all the glory.
You and I don’t have to save the world. That’s not our job, and we don’t have the ability to do it. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. Our job is to partner with God through Christ. The Lord does all the heavy lifting as we shine the light of God’s love and tell people about our Savior. We can help save a soul from the depths of hell, so their lives will be transformed through the power of the love of Jesus Christ. If only we will let our own hearts be motivated by his love, we will see the profound change we can make.
We don’t have to take drastic measures or abandon the comfort we like so much. We can begin in our own homes. Our Heavenly Father watches what we teach our children about the love of Christ. He looks at how we dialogue with our spouses or the person we hope to marry. Are any of our conversations about the love of God in Christ? Are we teaching and sharing with others the Word of God that we know, or are we keeping our mouths closed about the goodness of God? It is our responsibility to help young people under our span of influence to grow up in Christ. We should be sharing God’s Word every opportunity that we get.
We also have to make sure that we are being good and Godly friends. Sometimes we dig deeper holes of doubt and fear for those we care about because we feed them junk food from the world instead of steering them to what God says. We are called to be the kind of friends that provide sound wisdom and good counsel from God’s Word. This should always be our mission.
Always remember that a small investment of God’s matchless Word can lead to a monumental impact in a person’s life. We have a responsibility as members of God’s Kingdom to seek opportunities to sow into the lives of others. Do yourself the greatest favor and begin to pray as Jesus Christ instructs in Matthew 9:35-38. Pray to Heavenly Father who is in charge of the harvest. Ask Him to send more workers in the fields and be willing to do your part as well.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Small Investments with Monumental Results”, written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2021. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.