Every so often, as the need arises, places of establishment must hang
a "Help Wanted" sign. Whenever my eye catches one of these advertisements,
my mind automatically ponders the reason the sign appeared. Did someone
quit? Did they walk out because they just didn't care for the position?
Were they fired? Did they not do a proper job or exhibit a proper attitude?
Were the other employees difficult to work with? Whatever the cause might
be, it gives the public the general impression that things within are
not taking a productive path. There is a gap that must be filled and workers
are needed...
Matthew 9:35-38 (KJV)
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and
every disease among the people. [36] But when he saw the multitudes, he
was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered
abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. [37] Then saith he unto his disciples,
The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; [38] Pray ye
therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into
his harvest.
As I read this portion of scripture this morning, I couldn't help but see it as a "Help Wanted" sign! Jesus Christ was busy about His Father's business; He was going about ALL the cities and villages teaching, preaching, and healing EVERY sickness and EVERY disease. This is certainly quite a large work to accomplish, amen? Who wouldn't need help in order to effectively carry out the crucial job of tending to the physical and spiritual needs of so many people in so many places! By the way, what do you fill your time with on a daily, even hourly basis? Where do you go and what do you most often do?? Are you active in the things Jesus was active in - are you faithfully employed in your heavenly Father's business?
John 9:4 (KJV)
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night
cometh, when no man can work.
What emotion did Jesus feel when He viewed the masses? Though our Savior was hard at work, the Bible says in our main text today that when He looked upon the multitudes He was moved with compassion. The work had not hardened His heart, nor did the enormity of it overwhelm Him. Why did Christ feel that way? Because these folk were as sheep having no shepherd, they were scattered, they were fainting... There was a gap that needed to be filled and our Savior was quick to take the position! Yes, Jesus describes the endless number of people with whom He came in contact as weak, helpless, sheep and His burden grew greater. God's work was the Son's satisfaction - not His dread! I wonder, dear lady, when it comes to people, do you see what Jesus saw; do you feel as Jesus felt??
John 4:34 (KJV)
My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
It was at this precise moment of deep compassion that Christ turned to His disciples and described to them the way He viewed the situation at hand, sharing with them His increased burden. Jesus said to them that the harvest "truly was plenteous". The world is certainly an abundant field of lost souls, amen? Notice though, how Jesus described the number of persons available to help those lost souls. He said the workers were few; the quantity was not equivalent to the overflowing need. What a grieving state of affairs for One so concerned for God’s business, finding only a small number who care to help with so great a work!
Matthew 7:14 (KJV)
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto
life, and few there be that find it.
No doubt there are few that find eternal life because there are few spiritual laborers to help them do so! In all honesty, ladies, we have more time on our hands than we do holy calluses! What can be done in such an awful dilemma? As you look again at Mt. 9:38, you will see that Jesus urges His disciples to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth workers to gather souls. In other words, we are to petition God concerning this current lack of laborers. Are you praying in such a way, dear lady? As a Christian, this is a concern the Savior would expect you to have! Harvest time is upon us and spiritual workers are in high demand. Unfortunately, many believers are not doing their part and the whole situation needs much prayer. Lots have quit and gone back into the world. Several of God’s children consider the responsibility too overwhelming. A number of them have made commitments but are inconsistent in their job performance. Occasionally there are a certain persons who want to take on the responsibility but have been discouraged by others. Some dislike God's business entirely; they simply don't have enough compassion for people and do not share the same concerns as their Redeemer...
2 Thes. 3:11 (KJV)
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working
not at all, but are busybodies.
Perhaps you know of lazy Christians who need to leave their talebearing and officious intermeddling behind and get to work… What a disgrace to think that born-again, blood bought, believers would actually snub the prospect of involvement in a great and profitable labor, and become nothing more than religious gossips, while developing a welfare mindset as a child of God! Are you one of those who have ended up doing everything you shouldn’t instead of everything you should? Are you and your girlfriends wanderers or workers of righteousness?
1 Tim. 5:13 (KJV)
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house;
and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which
they ought not.
Why did Jesus ask His disciples to pray about the need for spiritual applicants? Why didn't the Son of God just talk to His Father and leave the matter with Him? It’s because, as so often occurs, those who faithfully pray were themselves sent as a result! Ladies, when we share our Savior's burden, we see what Jesus sees, we feel what Jesus feels, and we work as He worked, you can't help but get involved in the job of harvesting lost souls! As a matter of fact, not long after this portion of scripture, the disciples were themselves involved in the ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing people. They gained a heart for God's work. They answered His want ad, took the job, and filled the gap! Likewise, the Lord would employ us all as His faithful workers. The "Help Wanted" sign is in the window... I hope you won't just drive by and ignore it!
John 4:35 (KJV)
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold,
I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are
white already to harvest.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
