A Plentiful Harvest

   There is a snapshot in the gospel of Matthew of Jesus' heart for people and their need for Him:

"And 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.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"

Matthew 9:35-38 

   Much of Jesus' ministry involved hands-on work. He was with the people in their joys and sorrows. He taught where there was a need for understanding. He proclaimed the gospel of hope to the hopeless. He healed every disease and affliction. When He saw the crowds of people reaching out for help of various kinds, He was moved with compassion.

   Can you imagine moving through a crowd of people, every one of them in need and calling out to you for help? Watch from 3:00-4:45 of this clip:

   This is the image I get- an emergency, a disaster, people frantic with pain and fear. How overwhelmed I would be. These people were harassed and helpless, like sheep among wolves.

   Jesus chooses to use this as a teachable moment for his disciples. What does He tell them? 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'

   He doesn't say "Solve all their problems," or "Meet every need of theirs." He simply paints a picture of the reality we all face: a plentiful harvest, but not enough workers to accomplish the labor it requires.

   I look around Utsunomiya and the same scene the disciples witnessed in this moment is what I see. There is a plentiful harvest here! My Japanese friends have deep hurts and needs like I do; they need Jesus. And what's more, we spend time every week reading the Bible together! I get to help lead them toward Jesus, even if it is only one tiny step. Our discussions are deep and meaningful, full of questions and thoughtful responses. The Lord of the harvest is at work here.

   What exactly does Jesus tell us to do when we are faced with a huge harvest and not enough laborers? Pray. Ask God, the Lord of the harvest, to send out workers into the field to accomplish the work of meeting the needs these people have. 

   Would you join me in prayer for this? We are here for 2 more weeks and none of us want to leave. The day will come when we must say good bye to these dear friends, board a plane and return to America. We will have to trust these friends to the Lord and to the laborers who live here. Pray that some us may return to Japan. Pray that God would send laborers here to sow, to water, to reap a spiritual harvest. He will answer; after all, this is His harvest.

   This is a picture I took of a wheat field in Utsunomiya... days later it was harvested. Pray earnestly for a spiritual harvest as well.