The Harvest
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.
Matthew 9:38
After the Lord Jesus had performed a number of authenticating miracles recorded in Matthew 8 and 9, Matthew then moves on to record for us a general, summary describing the ministry of the Lord Jesus. Matthew writes that “Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matt. 9:35).
Now in these few verses, there is tremendous teaching. I note four observations about these verses:
First: Note that the Lord Jesus went to where the people were—that is, into “all the cities and villages” (v 35), and note their synagogues too. There are few, that will serve the Lord in the Rural areas.
Second: Note that Matthew identifies three aspects of the Lord's ministry, which are parallel to the church’s ministry. These are: teaching, preaching, and healing (v 35).
Third: Notice, the Lord was not speaking about flowers, the environment or His personal experiences; He was Preaching the Gospel (v 35).
Fourth: Matthew comments on the mission of God, as he notes that the need is not for a greater harvest; rather, the need is for labourers to work in the plentiful harvest fields v 37-38). Also, in those two verses, the Lord places three responsibilities on the shoulders of His people, every Christian;
A. Visualise – See the harvest is great!
B. Agonise – "Pray therefore."
C. Evangelise – It is not enough to see the need, neither is it enough to pray for the lost and be concerned for their souls. The Lord desires that each of us do the work of an evangelist.
Bible Reading
Matthew 9:35-38.
Prayer
Father God, when I look around, I do indeed see that the harvest is great, and their are few labours. Help me Lord, to share the Gospel with those around me. In Jesus name. Amen.
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