The Harvest is Plentiful but The Workers are Few

Johan SetiawanDiscipleship Training Centre (DTC), Singapore

Morning Chapel

Mat 9:35-3835 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. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Context35 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.

The same narration at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee (9:35; 4:23) bracketing the chapters in between:Ch 5–7 Jesus is Messiah in word Ch 8–9 Jesus is the Messiah at workJesus met with many people in many life-stuations at many places

Compassion36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

The word “compassion” (cum+pati) means to suffer with, to live with those who suffer.The verb “had compassion” (splagcnivzomai ) means to be moved in the inward parts— indicates deep feelings in the heart and affections (9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34;+18:27)

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=holy+discontent&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=5y1zNR9SY-rpoM&tbnid=7j7LOpMzdQDCNM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.kidhelper.com/?p=1973&ei=iTRHUbXhFcmQiQf2pICoDg&psig=AFQjCNGsSJhZHKeFiLnUiFLQORqhsgBjUA&ust=1363707365515992

What is the one aspect of this broken world that, when you see it, touch it, get near it, you just can’t stand? Very likely, that firestorm of frustration reflects your holy discontent, a reality so troubling that you are thrust off the couch and into the game. It’s during these defining times when your eyes open to the needs surrounding you and your heart hungers to respond that you hear God say, “I feel the same way about this problem. Now, let’s go solve it together!”

Do you serve with compassion?

suffer withdeep feelings in the heart &

affectionsholy discontent

REFLECTION

Sheep in Need of Shepherd36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

The metaphor of sheep & shepherd was well known in Israel. The leaders of Israel had also been likened to shepherds (Num 27:17). What will happen to sheep without shepherd?In ch 8–9 Jesus has addressing people's needs by performing miracles. Woven throughout the stories there is Jesus’ recognition of the root problem: sin (9:2,13). The leaders of Israel are not giving proper care to the needs of the people.

There is a serious dearth of leaders in the contemporary world. Massive problems confront us, … People feel confused, bewildered, alienated. To borrow the metaphors of Jesus, we seem to be like “sheep without shepherd”, while our leaders often appear to be “blind leaders of the blind”.

Our calling in life is always tied to population, place, problems, and process.Whom will I serve (the population)? In what locale will I serve that community (the place)? In that community and in that place, what portion of the Fall will I face (the problems)?And what means will I use to address those problems (the process)?

Do you serve in-line with your your calling?

population, place, problems, process

REFLECTION

Harvest in Need of Harvesters37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

The metaphor changes from sheep in need of shepherd to a harvest in need of harvesters (9:37-38). Although the metaphor changes, the meaning remains the same. What will happen to harvest in need of harvesters?In the following discourse (10:5-23): • The “harvest” is the needy crowds • The “workers” are the Twelve (10:1-15) and

disciples of all the ages (10:16-23; 28:19-20)

2000+ years has been passed, but why

the peoples are still too much unreached and the workers are still

too little prepared

Christian leaders are calling two important things in our generation: renewal in the church and a new thrust to evangelize the world.

What is the key to accomplishing these two great task?

It is the training of laypeople to become the laborers Jesus talked about when He said to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest field (Mat 9:38).

Disciplemaking is the key to world evangelisation. It is evident in the Scriptures that God intends world missions and disciplemaking to be strategically joined together. After all, didn't our Lord Jesus intentionally join them together in His Great Commission: “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.” (Matt 28:18-20)? And what God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

EDMUND CHANIDMC Vision

Do you serve by reproducing disciples-workers?

REFLECTION

Ekballo38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

The verb “to send out” (ejkbavllw) means to throw, to cast out, to drive out, to send out—with the included notion of more or less violence.ejkbavllw is not the normal term used for “to send” as most of our translations have it. It is a spiritually violent word filled with passion and force.

The authority and the force of Jesus casting out (ekballo) demons is the same spiritual force and authority by which he thrust forth (ekballo) laborers. It seems as if the power and the resistance of Satan and his evil spirits must be confronted by a greater forcefulness and empowerment.

When Jesus ekballo’s demons, demons must go. When Jesus ekballo’s laborers, evangelists and missionaries have to go. Suddenly Matthew 9:38 became a fire in my bones and an end time war cry from heaven itself.

LOU ENGLEMission: Ekballo

Do you serve by askingGod to ekballo workers?

REFLECTION

The Harvest is Plentiful but The Workers are Few