Rev. Frombach has been a licensed minister within the United Pentecostal Church since 1992. He currently serves in various ministerial position in his local church (Tiverton, Rhode Island).Matt 9:37 “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few”
Jesus spoke this observation to His disciples as He looked on the multitudes following them. This is the greatest prayer request Jesus made, and it is the process of empowerment from the work of the cross. So what caused Jesus to make this observation?
First, His eyes were not on Himself. In the previous verse we see that Jesus “saw the multitudes”. This was not a casual look as we do when we look down a busy city street, or in a crowded store. Not a mere glance, but a personal interest. In these last days, we must take our eyes off of our own things, the things of the world and self. To stop looking at one thing it is necessary to be looking at something else. Knowing this is one thing, but doing it is another. How do we actually do this, then?
By perceiving behind people’s appearance, actions and words – beyond their frustration, fear and stress. This is how Jesus had compassion, not pity, because He knew they wanted to have a real relationship with God, but did not know how. He knew they needed a guide who could get them to the strait gate, and to help them stay in the narrow way. Jesus saw that they were faint, but this was not so much because of the long day, but of the weariness of religion and searching for relationship, both with God, and at peace with one another. This was a spiritual faintness, as He saw their need of a shepherd, not a motel, or bus, or restaurant. This is what caused Him to say, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few”.
The main focus of this is not how few the laborers, but how big the harvest is. We have a tendency to view the negative; too few laborers. But there is no motivation in that. The harvest is not plenteous because the laborers are few. Many people are working in the Kingdom of God in this harvest. God is actually encouraging us by telling us what He is seeing; the harvest is truly plenteous. So it is not important how our health, wealth and education are. There is no need to wait for a better job, or to get rid of our aches, pains and sicknesses, to get more educated or talented, or worry about our houses and peoples’ approval. The harvest is plenteous. It just needs obedient apostolic laborers of faith.
Some are sowers of the seed of the Word of God. Some do the watering. God then gives the increase. Now it is time
for the harvesters. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 The Lord has ordered our steps in His will (Psalms 37:23), and
placed each member in the body of Christ as it pleases Him (1Corinthians 12:18). So it is then up to us to find our place
and find our pace, as devoted laborers in His harvest, because God is not looking for the harvest; He is looking for the laborers. May we look on the multitudes with compassion, and step into the harvest, for the name of Jesus.
Jesus spoke this observation to His disciples as He looked on the multitudes following them. This is the greatest prayer request Jesus made, and it is the process of empowerment from the work of the cross. So what caused Jesus to make this observation?
First, His eyes were not on Himself. In the previous verse we see that Jesus “saw the multitudes”. This was not a casual look as we do when we look down a busy city street, or in a crowded store. Not a mere glance, but a personal interest. In these last days, we must take our eyes off of our own things, the things of the world and self. To stop looking at one thing it is necessary to be looking at something else. Knowing this is one thing, but doing it is another. How do we actually do this, then?
By perceiving behind people’s appearance, actions and words – beyond their frustration, fear and stress. This is how Jesus had compassion, not pity, because He knew they wanted to have a real relationship with God, but did not know how. He knew they needed a guide who could get them to the strait gate, and to help them stay in the narrow way. Jesus saw that they were faint, but this was not so much because of the long day, but of the weariness of religion and searching for relationship, both with God, and at peace with one another. This was a spiritual faintness, as He saw their need of a shepherd, not a motel, or bus, or restaurant. This is what caused Him to say, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few”.
The main focus of this is not how few the laborers, but how big the harvest is. We have a tendency to view the negative; too few laborers. But there is no motivation in that. The harvest is not plenteous because the laborers are few. Many people are working in the Kingdom of God in this harvest. God is actually encouraging us by telling us what He is seeing; the harvest is truly plenteous. So it is not important how our health, wealth and education are. There is no need to wait for a better job, or to get rid of our aches, pains and sicknesses, to get more educated or talented, or worry about our houses and peoples’ approval. The harvest is plenteous. It just needs obedient apostolic laborers of faith.
Some are sowers of the seed of the Word of God. Some do the watering. God then gives the increase. Now it is time
for the harvesters. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 The Lord has ordered our steps in His will (Psalms 37:23), and
placed each member in the body of Christ as it pleases Him (1Corinthians 12:18). So it is then up to us to find our place
and find our pace, as devoted laborers in His harvest, because God is not looking for the harvest; He is looking for the laborers. May we look on the multitudes with compassion, and step into the harvest, for the name of Jesus.
Blessings,
Rev. Lee Frombrach
FallRiver, Massachusetts
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