"Workers Are Few" Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

 It seems to me that we have the same dilemma now that Jesus experienced way back then.  People are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  People are sick and hurting and dying.  The need is great.  Never has the time been more appropriate or the need greater for a world-wide outpouring of God's mercy and grace.  Never have people needed to see the reality of the God's love more than today.  The harvest is great, but workers are few.

Jesus had a solution -a solution that we seem to largely ignore.  Our solution is to take a handful of "anointed" men and give them more and more and bigger and bigger.  We seem to think that the solution is to build bigger and bigger mega-churches and put up video screens of the anointed preacher, because, apparently, although we understand the need is great, we assume God's work can only be done by a handful of Christian superstars.

Jesus, however, took a different approach.  He said,  "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."  The Lord of the harvest wants more workers, not fewer workers with bigger ministries.  More people doing hands on, one-on-one, personal, life changing ministry with neighbors and co-workers and friends and friends of friends.  More workers.  That's God's plan.


Father help us to see and understand your desires so that we can do Your work Your way to accomplish Your desired results.  Amen.