Then 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. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were wearyand scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38
The harvest has a right timing
One of the key words in the above scripture is the word “harvest”. My grandfather was a farmer and had various fields including vineyards. However, he didn’t bring up the term “harvest” until we approached the time when the grapes were ready to be harvested. That was the ultimate goal, but there was much that he had to do before, the grapes were ready to be harvested.
The vines went through various stages during the year. In winter, they looked like a death bush. In spring, the leaves came out, and you saw the early signs of green grapes. In my native language we actually had a term for the newly sprouted grapes which signified that they were not ready yet. Harvest has a right timing associated with it.
In the case of grapes, the harvest is generally end of summer or early fall. My grandfather had different types of grapes, so some of his crop was ready before the others were. He was very in tune with his land, and he knew where to find the ones that were getting close to being harvested. My family would visit my grandparents from mid to late summer, so if we wanted to pick some ripe grapes, we would just ask Grandpa. Grandpa would tell us to just follow him to where the ripe ones were, and then he would lead us to the right spot. My grandfather was well acquainted with his vineyard, and he knew the timing as to when his grapes could be harvested.
“of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;” 1 Chronicles 12:32
As laborers in God’s harvest field, we can also develop a greater measure of sensitivity to where people are at spiritually. If we are going to be successful people in evangelism, we have to learn to know the sign of times and understand when the harvest is ready and plentiful. Just because I decided to show up during summer at my grandfather’s vineyard, it didn’t mean that I knew where the ripe grapes were. Grandpa had been spending the entire year in his field, and he knew how the harvest was coming along.
In Conclusion
Jesus healed the sick, had compassion, and noticed those who were scattered. He is our example. God is looking for those are willing to tend to the needs of the unsaved and broken until such a time that individuals are ready to accept the Lord as their savior.
Jesus said, “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few…”. That statement always bothered me. I wonder if he meant, there are very few people who are willing to do the hard labor in the winter and spring season before they can enjoy reaping a fruitful harvest. Where are the laborers who don’t make their evangelism a hobby or a task but are willing to have Jesus’ attitude in the harvest field!?
The laborers that God is looking for will be laboring like Jesus. First and foremost, they are present in the harvest field. Secondly, they tend to the physical needs of the people around them. Third, they are compassionate. Fourth, they know the condition of man and his situation, and finally they are in tune with the timing of the harvest. The Lord of the harvest is looking for skilled, full-time laborers who are willing to do the hard work until such a time that the harvest is here.
