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The Harvest is Ripe! Then What’s the Problem?

Jesus said, “The harvest is ripe” two thousand years ago.

The harvest is still ripe!

Then what’s the problem?

Laborers!

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ” The harvest truly is plentiful , but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Matthew 9:35-38 in the Holy Bible

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest !

John 4:34-36 in the Holy Bible

“The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way;”

Luke 10:2-3 in the Holy Bible

In clear and certain words Jesus declares that this world is ‘ripe’, ‘white’ ‘great’ and ready for harvest! Of course Jesus is speaking about people.

Jesus went to the people.

Jesus preached the Gospel.

Jesus healed the people.

Jesus ‘saw’ the people. He saw every need and heartache and pain and struggle.

Jesus knew the people had lost their way as sheep without a Shepherd.

Jesus then spoke to His disciples.

The harvest truly is plentiful.

The laborers are few.

Pray…for what?

The Lord of harvest to send out laborers…into His harvest!

Then Jesus sent forth the laborers.

In this passage Jesus makes it clear that the problem is not with the harvest

but that the laborers are few .

It seems to me that so often we do everything but go out to reach the lost for Jesus. We are experts at finding ways to feel we are doing ‘great’ things for Jesus and others yet day after day and week after week and year after year we personally never lead anyone to Jesus as Savior and Lord.

The question was not whether God wanted people saved but do we. The question was do we want to go and tell.

In all the times we find what to pray for I can find only one reference to praying for the lost.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.”

Romans 10:1-2 in the Holy Bible

Sure we are to pray about everything. That includes the lost for sure. However the prayer focus of Jesus is for us to pray for the Lord to send laborers into the harvest.

We are to pray for the witnesses! Pray for someone to Go.

You be that witness!

Pray for someone to say the right words at the right time in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pray and give and support the people going forth in evangelism reaching the lost!

Focus where Jesus put the focus!

Somewhere between heaven and earth someone has to do something!

Someone must be the one to go and tell and love and witness and yes, even speak!

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Romans 10:14-15 in the Holy Bible

God is not willing that any should perish.

Like the lost sheep we are to go and find it.

Like the lost coin we are to search for it.

Like the banquet dinner invitation we are to go and invite.

On and on I could go but the message of Jesus is clear. Go, Tell, Invite!

Many want to prepare the place (build and care for buildings).

Many want to organize the reception (classes and programs).

Many want to stay and pray or even go and pray (for the lost and fight the demonic strongholds)

But few there are who will Go in Jesus Name witnessing the message of salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Want you say “yes” to the clear call of Jesus! “Here am I Lord, send me!”

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt

Luke 18:1