Originally posted 8/21/20
Who are the Harvesters? I have been studying Matthew in my personal time with God. The other day I was in Matthew 9, and something stuck out to me once again. Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV) says, “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 out laborers into his harvest.”” Two thousand years ago Jesus told us that the harvest is ready. I have probably read this verse dozens of times, yet I never stopped to think about what Jesus was saying when he talked about the harvest.
What Does Jesus Mean
I have always assumed Jesus was saying that the harvest was the unsaved people. Which would mean that we, as saved people and harvesters, need to go out and evangelize the unsaved. I still think that is part of what he was saying, but I believe his idea of harvest is so much more than getting people to say a prayer and check the box off of “going to Heaven when I die.”
The Real Harvest
To know what Jesus was talking about when he said, “The harvest is plentiful…” Matthew 9:37a (ESV), we need to look at what Jesus was doing right before he made that statement. Verse 35 tells us that, “…Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.” (emphasis mine). Jesus was teaching, proclaiming the gospel, and healing every disease and every affliction. Actually, if you think about it, this is what Jesus did during his entire ministry. Everywhere he went he told anyone who would listen about what the Kingdom of God is like, he taught them what God really wanted from his people, and he healed just about everyone who needed it.
The Laborer’s Job
This is such good news to those of us who don’t consider ourselves evangelists! You can be a laborer by using the gifts and talents that God has given you. Know someone who needs healing? How about you pray and ask God to heal them? You can even find a scripture about healing and pray it over them! Remember how Jesus told us in John 14:12-14 (ESV), “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” Jesus wants to work through you and me to heal the broken people we meet everyday. Healing may be physical, emotional, or spiritual. I encourage you to pray and ask God to use you to heal others. I continually ask God to use me to heal others and I look forward to the day when he answers that prayer!
Do you know someone who needs to hear what the Kingdom of God is like? It may just be telling someone about the love that God has for them and showing them how to be free from the destructive life they are currently living. How can you tell or even show someone the love that God has for them? You do what Jesus always does: love them no matter what and pray for them. You show kindness when it’s not deserved and patience even when it’s difficult. Perhaps you can even show them how God sees them when he looks at them. Try this: ask the Lord how he sees someone you’ve been talking to and then communicate it to them. It should be encouraging and uplifting, full of love and hope and joy.
Are you a good teacher? Maybe you need to go to the churches and teach the lost, or maybe just Christians who have lost their way, what the Bible says. You don’t need a seminary degree to teach others. You just need to be a student of the Bible and know how to hear God’s voice; then, go out and tell others what you have learned. Spoiler alert, this is exactly what I do with this blog. I simply write down what I am learning and share it with you.
This All is Good News
You see, you don’t need to go stand on a street corner and proclaim Jesus to everyone passing by; you don’t need to become a pastor or even go to seminary to be considered a harvester. You simply need to use the gifts and talents God has given you to teach, proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven, and heal those who need healing. It is God who works through you to do each one of those things. You just come with a willing spirit to do whatever God asks of you, and then stand back and be amazed at the works you are privileged to be a part of! You can only do any of these things through the power of the Holy Spirit! So go dig into your Bible and get connected to the Holy Spirit (hint: you do this by praying and listening) and then be bold! He’s your Helper! You can do it!
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