All systems go

As he saw the crowds, his heart was filled with pity for them, because they were worried and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. So he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is large, but there are few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest.’ (verses 36-38)

Read Matthew 9:35 – 10:4

If you’ve been around an orchard at harvest time, you will have felt the urgency in the air. It’s all systems go so that the fruit can be got under cover before disaster strikes. Sometimes you will hear the urgent plea over the media for more workers.

Those orchardists must feel the way Jesus felt as he saw the needs of the people around him. He didn’t want anyone to be lost. What did he do about it? First he asked everyone to pray, then he called the twelve disciples.

The need is urgent today. We only have to open our eyes to see how troubled and helpless people are without Christ. Jesus reminds us to pray, and he calls us to become workers for him in his harvest. Are you ready? Will you go? If nothing else, will you pray?

Imagine the joy and excitement when, together with God, we can rejoice over a great harvest!

Gracious God, help us to see the need and to be willing workers, so that we too can rejoice over the harvest. Amen.

Written by Merna Thamm from “Living Water for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers, 2001)

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