Tomorrow is a federal holiday we call "Labor Day." According to the Department of Labor, this holiday came about to "recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being." Indeed, God's word speaks plentifully about work in positive terms: In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty (Proverbs 14:23 NKJV).
When Jesus walked this earth, He was a worker. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work (John 9:4). The word "night" in this verse refers to death. So, we must follow His example and work while we have the opportunity to do so. A good summary of Jesus' work is found in Matthew 9:35: 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. His example for us in this verse is threefold: He was teaching (imparting information); He was preaching (exhorting them on how to live in light of what they were taught), and healing (showing compassion). We ought to also teach, preach, and show compassion to others, as Matthew then records what Jesus says as He goes about His work: 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 9:37,38).
Not only did Jesus work, but He wanted His disciples to as well. "The harvest truly is plentiful." Therefore, one cannot say, "no one is interested in the gospel." Jesus said "the laborers are few." This implies that labor and work are involved in evangelism. Jesus paints a picture that folks are ready to be "picked" (taught the gospel and obey it), but there are not enough workers to get to them all. Therefore, as fruit on a tree eventually rots if left on it, so will souls if no one teaches them the gospel. What a dreadful thought!
Therefore, our Lord said to pray that there may be more workers. Sense the urgency in Jesus' statement. Sense the need for fervent prayer. Sense how high the stakes are! Are you a laborer the Lord can use to answer such a prayer? Do you meet the qualifications, such being one who loves the Lord and is obedient to Him? Do you desire to show compassion on others as the Lord does for you? Where should you go? Jesus said, Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest (John 9:35b)! Lost souls are all around: your waitress, nurse, store clerk, etc.
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:36). People are looking for a better way. They are looking for and need the Shepherd. As the Shepherd did for these people in Matthew 9, so we must do for our community. As our country recognizes the contributions of workers, even more will the Lord recognize and reward those who labor for Him. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them” (Revelation 14:13).
Brotherly, Jamie
