Imagine you were one of the women followers of Jesus during his three-year ministry on earth. What would it be like as you heard his teachings, walked by his side, and watched his ministry?
Dear sister,
I wish I could come home briefly to talk to you about all that has happened over the last two years. It is always refreshing for my soul when we talk together about our faith. At times I feel exhausted from all I am doing and the energy it takes to serve Jesus. At other times, I am filled with joy and energy from the teaching and miraculous deeds of our Lord. Most recently, Jesus healed two blind men. Then he drove out a demon from a mute man. Immediately after this, the man could speak for the first time in his life!
Everywhere we go, Jesus preaches the good news of the Kingdom and heals every disease and sickness.
Sometimes I feel like I must be in a dream. Amazingly, it is all real!
Sister, I must admit that some of Jesus’ teaching perplexes me. A couple days ago, Jesus told us: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” I know he was not talking about farmers and the harvesting of crops. I believe he was referring to the ministry he has been doing. Everywhere we go people need prayer and healing. So many are in bondage to evil spirits that attack their minds, bodies, and emotions. Jesus is constantly at work either preaching the good news or helping those in need.
What does he mean when he says to ask the Lord to send out workers into the harvest field?
Surely, he can’t mean that people can accomplish the ministry he performs every day, can he?
Perplexed,
your Big Sister
Today’s Bible Reading: Matthew 9:27-38
Today’s Application:
I am sure that the disciples were quite confused when Jesus told them to pray for workers for the harvest. Today we understand exactly what Jesus meant. The world’s population of 7.6 billion is approximately 66% non-Christian. Currently, over 3 billion people are unreached with the gospel. An unreached people group refers to an ethnic group without an indigenous, self-propagating Christian church movement. Any ethnic or ethnolinguistic nation without enough Christians to evangelize the rest of the nation is an "unreached people group". Truly, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Jesus says: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The apostle Paul goes on to say, “How can they believe in one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:14-15).
Ask the Lord what part you are to play in bringing the good news to the harvest field. Pray for more laborers and ask the Lord if you are to go on a short-term or longer-term mission. Pray for those missionaries who have already gone. Join the prayer and financial support team of a few missionaries. The harvest field is all around us. Be more open and bold about your faith with your family, neighbors, and classmates/workmates. 81% of all Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists do not know even one Christian. Your neighborhood or a nearby neighborhood has people of these faiths. Reach out to them and invite them into your home for a meal. Most internationals/immigrants/refugees have never been invited into a Christian’s home. The Lord calls all of us as his disciples to be a part of taking the good news into the harvest field.
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