Scripture References: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
Many of us believers today can look around us and sense the circumstances in the world and we realize that the Lord’s coming cannot be very far off. Because of the time, we should be keenly aware that the job we have before us is becoming critical.
“He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.” – Proverbs 10:5. When Jesus does shout from the clouds above to call His church to Him, I do not want to be slack in my duties.
What we have in the Scriptures referenced is a picture of missions and ministry to which we are all called; it pictures men and women committed to Jesus and His cause going ahead of or preparing the way for the Lord and touching lives in the spirit of Christ Jesus who will be coming to them for a personal visitation. We often wonder what it is we’re supposed to say to people whom we believe do not know Jesus Christ; indeed, the issue of a way to witness for thinking Christians is a troublesome one for many of us, myself included. Maybe we can glean something from our Scriptures referenced that will help us in that very area of concern.
Our task as witnesses of and for Jesus Christ, at home and abroad, is to go, with other people of faith, to every place where Jesus is about to come. Jesus is ready to come to any place where persons have been prepared to meet Him.
In our secular age, we are concerned about the validity of the ideal of life found in Christ for all people and we are often hesitant to believe anybody wants anything to do with Christ or Christianity. Jesus says this is not the problem at all. Jesus knew that there would always be persons receptive to the truth of a God who loved them and was reaching out to give them life. No, the problem is not the slim pickings out there. Jesus actually said: “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” – Luke 10:2.
“The mission of the seventy” as some summarize this passage does not refer to an exclusive group called out to special service. The seventy people who went out ahead of Jesus were the first, with the possible exception of John the Baptist and the apostles, to do what all Christians are called to do: prepare a way for the Lord in the hearts of those who have not found the reality of life in Jesus Christ. I’m not talking about tactics which resemble accosting people rather than caring for them. I’m talking about kindness, courtesy, and genuine interest in the well-being of others. I’m talking about being understanding, forgiving, compassionate, and encouraging. I’m talking about showing others the spirit of Jesus Christ alive and at work in us, we who ourselves are imperfect folk who have nonetheless found life through having made a permanent place for Jesus in our own hearts. I’m talking about caring for people in very natural and comfortable ways and places long before any words of witness ever need to be spoken. There are people dying for that kind of affirmation and hope. Indeed, the “harvest truly is great.”
It is time for the rich harvest which Jesus has promised. Then, why not go out to reap the harvest? Simply stated, because “the laborers are few.” We need to fervently pray for more laborers, but be careful when you “pray . . . the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” because in order for those prayers to be answered according to God’s will, more laborers will have to be found; and right now, we are the only extra laborers there are. If God puts out that call for more laborers, we are here, and ready. However, if any new workers go, we will have to be with them, and the assignment can be very demanding.
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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