Beseeching of Love

Isn't it great when someone offers to help you when they see you have a need? A close friend of mine and I have relied on each other throughout the years for help. There have been many times when we have helped each other out in several areas, one of which is in-home projects. We have been there helping each other with wallpapering, painting, rearranging furniture, cleaning each other's houses, putting things together, etc. really, the list is endless. The point is that whenever we have needed each other, we have been there, and our homes prove it. We may not have always known what or how to do something, but together we learned and did it and, even today, are still there for whatever the need is. It has been not only great to have help, but it has also given us many great and even funny memories throughout the years and has strengthened our friendship along the way as well.

In Matthew 9:35-37 and 10:1, we read how Jesus also needs help – help in the area of workers. The Bible says that Jesus was going into all the cities, villages, and teaching in the synagogues. One day, as he was proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom and healing every kind of sickness and disease, He looked out and saw the multitudes and felt compassion for them. He felt compassion for them because He said they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." Then in chapter 10, verse 1, He gave His disciples authority over unclean spirits and to be able to cast them out and to heal every kind of sickness and disease.

To understand the love and compassion of Jesus Christ, I believe, is impossible. I do not think we can fully understand or grasp how much love He has for us. This picture, though, of Him looking at the multitude that day and what He said gives us some sight at the volume of His love and compassion for people. For Him to look out and tell His disciples what the need was is also evident of today. For not only was Jesus looking at those of that day, but in His spirit, He was also seeing today. As He stated, the people He saw were distressed and needed help. If one would open their eyes today, one could see how distressed so many people are and how much help they need.

Jesus, though even in the midst of the distressed people, said that the harvest was plentiful. He let them know that if workers were willing to go, there would be a harvest to reap – a harvest for the Kingdom. Then He goes on to give His disciples the authority for all things, so they could effectively work that harvest, and the same is true for us today.

Each of us who is a Christ-follower is called a worker- a laborer of the harvest. If it were not so, He would not have started it with the disciples that day. We who are Christians are to be co-laborers with God. To go and testify of God and His goodness, love, and to be a light to others. That light that draws others out of their distresses and into God's love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Not all of us are called to go, leave our homes to travel and preach the word of God, but each of us is called to be a witness of God. To be willing to share our faith when we are presented with an opportunity. To live an effective life that will bring God honor and glory. To be ready to be there for those that we come across that need prayer and council. That even though one may not be called to travel, we are to remember that each of us is called to pray, that each of us has a purpose. That purpose may be to our neighborhoods, to our inner circle of friends, family, and even inside of our own homes. If we are Christians, then we are all called to play a role somehow, and it is up to each of us to fulfill that role.

None of us has any excuse as to why we cannot be a worker for Christ. We each have been given talents and gifts that are to be used to the glory of God, and we are expected to use them as witnessing tools. We are also to be praying that those who are already out there will be effective and that those who can go will listen to Gods calling and be willing. All of us can pray, and all of us who are Christians are wonderfully designed by God to be useful wherever He has placed us, and that is what we need to remember. 

Each of us is different, and we are to be thankful that we are different. Each has our unique calling, and if each one would walk in their calling and gifting, then this world would have much less distressed people. We would be effectively working for Christ and for that end-time harvest of souls God so desperately wants.

The point is whether one believes it or not, there is a Heaven, and there is a hell, and each of us will end up in one or another. It is not God who puts one in hell, but rather because of one's own free choice to accept Christ or not, that will decide. Christ will not impose Himself on one; instead, He wants them to come freely to Him. Though, what is expected is those of us who are Christ-followers are out of love we have for Christ and the price He paid for us to help bring hope to a world that so desperately needs it.  To be able to share the goodness of the gospel and see how God brings transformation into other people's lives is what we should want to be a part of. We are to share our faith and share how God has shown up for us. To share who God is and why one would want to know Him. To pray for those who do not know the truth and those who know the truth but have not accepted it. To pray that laborers would go forth into whatever area God has called them into and would be an effective worker for the Kingdom.

When you have time, take a moment to close your eyes and try to picture Jesus that day looking out and seeing a large crowd of people looking so distressed. Picture the look on Jesus' face – picture maybe the look of sadness and yet the love that He had for them and what they were feeling. Then picture Him turning around looking at you and asking, "Would you be willing to go for Me and help these people? Would you be willing to do your part, no matter how small you may think it is? Would you be willing to be a part of the harvest so that all these people may know the truth? Would you be willing to help reap this harvest so that they may one day also be with Me in eternity?" I believe each of us, if we could see Jesus in the flesh asking us this, would say without hesitation, "Yes." I believe we would, upon seeing the compassion and love in His eyes for those who needed help, would say, "Absolutely." Even though today He is not in the flesh asking us, He is still asking just the same. So, since He has so much compassion for those that are distressed, shouldn't we be willing to one pray, and then second be willing to do our part whatever it may be? The answer Is "Yes," and let's start today by answering the call on each of our lives, committing ourselves to be that worker of the harvest in whatever way we can. That worker of the plentiful harvest – the harvest that will bring others into the Kingdom just as we will be. 

Remember also why each one has the knowledge of God and has a personal walk with the Lord because someone was once faithful and answered the call so that you and I would know the truth. So, therefore, we are, in fact, a product of someone going forth into the field and working for that harvest – that harvest that included our own soul. So today, give back and pass on what has saved your own life- the saving knowledge and acceptance of Jesus Christ.

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns