“Harvest Time”
Matthew 9:35-38

(NKJV) In Matthew’s gospel we find a powerful and relevant teaching for the times in which we live. In chapter 9, verses 35 to 38, Jesus informs his followers of the spiritual needs in the world and enlightens them of their duty as true disciples to be engaged and available.

We find in this passage of scripture that the Lord is moving from one town to another, one village to another, teaching in the places where people gather for worship seeking a word from the Lord. He is armed with the good news of God’s plan of salvation and the sovereignty of the kingdom of God. Jesus not only teaches, but he teaches with awesome power to bless and heal, to confront and free, to help and not harm.

In addition to teaching, the Lord of life, is proclaiming the ethics of the reign of God in the world. That is, Jesus preaches the essence of the kingdom of God, with all its influence and authority. This message comes with the capacity to heal all disease and sickness with miracle working power. Jesus brings good news indeed!

The good news of the kingdom comes with, a divine eye, the observation of the conditions people face, the burdens they bear, and the challenges they face. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed, helpless, weary and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.”

The love of God is the driving force for entrance into the human condition in order to introduce the dynamics of the kingdom of God. And as Christ had compassion, he calls his followers, the disciples, to do the same and to work the harvest to the glory of God. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Will you work for the Lord in the harvest field?

– Pastor Dumas A. Harshaw, Jr.