When I was a child through my teenage years, one of my most rewarding times was to work alongside my dad and my grandfather on my grandfather’s farm. Every year, come early July, we prepared for the harvest of the sweet corn that had been planted in March. One of my lasting memories is being able to participate in the joy my dad and grandfather experienced when the harvest was successful…afterward I would enjoy standing in the middle of the field and see the work completed…none of the corn was left behind. Jesus said in Luke 10:1-2 " After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. ' " But immediately Jesus gives his answer to the problem of too few workers -- prayer. "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (10:2c). Why does Jesus say this to his disciples now? This is the work of God…not their work. Using manipulation and guilt-trips to get people to serve is not the way to get things done…it is the work of God. Listening people will respond to His call…they will get involved…they will obey…so pray…pray for God to speak to hearts and minds to give to His Church. In the farming economy of Palestine, harvest was a very present reality all the time…and here, Jesus is speaking to an immediate harvest. So often we look at people with natural eyes; Jesus looks at their spiritual condition and sees the people of Judea as if they are a huge harvest almost ready to be harvested…almost ripe. On my grandfather’s farm, when the field was ripe, everyone would come and reap the whole field at one time.We are being called to work in God’s harvest team…the time is now. How does participation in this harvest happen? It comes by responding to an inner call from God. An inner sense that Godhimself wants you to be involved in an aspect of his work. The 72 went out in response to Jesus call and in and in verse 17 you read, ”The seventy-two returned with joy…”. The wonderful opportunity is…We are not in this “harvest” by ourselves…we do it togetherthrough the power of God’s Holy Spirit. I encourage you to talk to God and ask him where He wants you to be involved. Get it from God himself and then expect it to be confirmed by others and by fruitfulness in what he is calling you to do. Reading: Luke 10:1-24 New International Version Take time to read this chapter in full 10 1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorThe Pastors of Cornerstone Wesleyan Church Archives
July 2017
Categories |