Scripture reading: Matthew 9:35—10:4

 Everything You Need to Know About Changing the World

The harvest is plentiful. (Matthew 9:37)

 

In Matthew 9:35–10:4 Jesus summarizes everything we need to know about world evangelization. In this amazingly succinct statement, Jesus gives us:

The model for missions. Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. Jesus shows us how it’s done. He didn’t just come for “souls.” He was concerned for the whole man. Like Jesus, our ministry to the world must be holistic, responding to the totality of human need: body (healing), mind (teaching), and  spirit (preaching).

The motivation for missions. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. When he saw human need, Jesus didn’t just write a check. He felt “compassion,” a Greek term associated with the intestines, bowels, guts. He felt their pain. The motive for missions must never be guilt, philanthropy, or duty. The motive is agape love.

The opportunity for missions. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful.” Others look at the world and can only see problems and hindrances. But Jesus has eyes that are able to see the world differently. He sees fields ready for harvest.

The fundamental obstacle of missions. The laborers are few. The great hindrance to world evangelization is not the lack of finances, the need for better strategies and more developed technology, the presence of other religions, persecution, closed doors, or cultural differences. Don’t be fooled. The problem is the lack of men and women willing to be used by God.

The fundamental solution to enable us to overcome the fundamental obstacle. Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Jesus’ solution is prayer. But not only does Jesus tell us to pray, he tells us what to pray: Ask God to raise up and send forth workers.

The great surprise of missions. When you begin to do what Jesus says and

actually pray for laborers, watch out! God may use you to be the answer to your own prayer! The disciples who were watching as Jesus ministered to others and listening as he spoke of the plentiful harvest and the need for laborers, were the very ones Jesus chose to change the world.

 

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: Peter, Andrew, James, John. . . .

 

Sounds simple, doesn’t it?. Yes, profoundly simple . . . and simply profound. Changing the world begins when we simply listen to the Master and do what he says.

 

 

 

If ten men are carrying a log—nine of them on the little end and one at the heavy end—and you want to help, which end will you lift on?  —William Borden

(as he reflected on the numbers of Christian workers in the U.S.

as compared to those among unreached peoples in China)

 

 

 

 

point to ponder • What motivates you to be part of the great harvest for souls in this generation?

 

prayer focus • Workers for the harvest.