Ripe Fields and Holy Responsibility

By Danny Saavedra

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”—Matthew 9:35–38 (NIV)

According to the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, “Harvesting is the process of gathering ripe crops, or animals and fish, to eat.” Essentially, it’s picking something at its peak of readiness.

Now, in order to have a successful harvest for all the crops planted, nurtured, and grown over a year, farmers bring in additional workers to help them gather. It’s literally an all-hands-on-deck time—even in Star Wars: A New Hope, Luke’s uncle Owen tells him, “Harvest is when I need you the most!” For large farms, one or two people just aren’t enough to handle all the work.

In today’s section of Matthew, we see the very same principle at work. You see, as Jesus went preaching, teaching, and healing throughout the Jewish world, everywhere He went, He saw how needy, broken, lost, and trapped people were, how ripe they were, and how ready they were to be redeemed, restored, and saved. So, He tells His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Many people were ready to hear and receive the good news of the gospel, but not enough people were ready to help them.

According to Barna research, only 64% of Christians believe it’s their responsibility to share their faith. A Lifeway study shows that 55% of Christians surveyed had not shared their faith with anyone in the last six months. Can you imagine going six months without talking about the most important thing in your life? Can parents go six months without telling someone about their kids? Can you go six months without talking about your job, favorite show or movie, politics, etc.? Probably not . . . How then can more than half of people who call themselves Christians go six months without telling someone about their life in Christ?

My friends, if you’re in Christ and His disciple, you’re a harvester; you’ve been sent. It’s not just a call for 45% of Christians or the job of a select group of missionaries, elders, and pastors. It’s our collective mission!

Mark 16:15 (NIV) says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation,” while Matthew 28:19 (NIV) says, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” In 2 Corinthians 5:17–20, we’re called ministers of reconciliation and Christ’s ambassadors, “as though God were making his appeal through us.” This is for all of us!

Bible college training isn’t required to do this. Like the woman at the well who immediately went into her town to tell people about Jesus, you just need to tell people what Jesus has done for you—how He gathered you when you were at your ripest. Like the blind man in John 9:25 (NIV), you don’t need to know everything because he said, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

The gospel of Jesus has the power to change every heart; all you need to do is be a messenger who delivers this good news. And here’s the best part: You’re not alone in this work. You have Jesus, who works in and through you, and your co-workers, your brothers and sisters in Christ. This is why Jesus encourages us to pray and ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers.

So today, tell the Lord, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV) and “Who can I bring with me, Lord?”

Pause: Why do we so often avoid the work of the harvest? Why do we avoid evangelism?

Practice: Think about someone in your life who is a nonbeliever. Pray for them. Ask the Lord to open his or her heart to receive, to open a door for you to boldly share the gospel, and for the words to flow from His Spirit and not from you. Then, when He makes a way, when the Spirit leads, be a harvester!

Pray: Lord of the harvest, I want to be Your hands and feet. I want to be Your messenger to those who need to hear the gospel. I want to be a worker in your harvest field right now. In Isaiah 6:8 (NIV), it says You asked “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Lord, I pray like Isaiah did, “Here am I. Send me!” Please give me the courage, boldness, and humility to do so. Help me be empathetic and gracious as I enter these conversations. Equip me with the words to say and fill me with Your Spirit so that I may walk in Your will. And Lord, bring other workers, co-laborers in the gospel, along with me. Amen.