Bible Reading: Luke 10:1-12
“And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2)
There are billions of people who would call themselves Christians worldwide. Yet, how many are labourers for Christ? Multitudes followed Jesus wherever He went to preach. Yet, only seventy-two counted the cost, put their hand on the plough and ceased to look back, abandoning all to work for Christ’s kingdom.
To be a true disciple of Jesus is to be a labourer for His kingdom. Jesus lived His life on earth ministering to the poor, healing the sick, preaching God’s Word in front of all classes of society. Jesus laboured for God’s kingdom. Therefore, if to be a true Christian is to follow Christ, then being a true Christian means being a labourer.
Being a labourer in the original language connotes the back-breaking work of a farmer out in the field pulling in his harvest. Under the sun, this was a hard and sweaty task. This was a time-consuming job. From daybreak till dusk, we are called to labour, to work hard for God’s kingdom.
See how Paul speaks of himself and his fellow workers. “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). “ I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need” (Philippians 2:25).
There is more to being a Christian than just accepting salvation and waiting for heaven. We are called to a glorious work — to be Christ’s workers, His labourers for His kingdom.
Yet, a problem prevails and will continue to prevail amongst us. There is a lack of labourers and so many souls out there to reach. What should we do? Jesus tells us to pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest. There is a wondrous secret in these words!
In Ezekiel 34:1-16, we hear a story of shepherds and sheep. At that time, the shepherds, the leaders, the labourers of Israel had gone astray, neglecting their flock, neglecting the harvest of souls who are waiting to know the Lord. Yet God comforts His people. “Behold I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Ezekiel 34:11-12).
God is the Lord of the harvest. He is the one who says, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37). God will rescue His people and bring in the harvest. A lack of human labourers will not foil his work. Our laziness and constant disobedience do not get in the way of God’s will.
In truth, our God does not need us to be His labourers. It is far easier for Him to work alone and gather His flock. Yet, He has given us an open invitation to follow Him. He longs to make us fishers of men. He wants us to learn to serve Him, to be His labourer. So, what kind of Christian are we? Have we surrendered our life to follow Him and be His labourer all the days of our life?
Lord of the harvest, send out labourers into Your harvest, particularly the harvest of Gen-Z’s, a new kind of unreached people group. Though the labourers are few, Your work will not be foiled. You will accomplish the purpose of Your will, and people from all tongues, tribes and nations will come to worship before You. Forgive us because we do not want to labour for You. We are happy with living selfish Christian lives. Have mercy on us. Melt our hearts and make us Your servants. In Jesus’ name, amen.