Today's lesson is about how we can be laborers for Jesus.
When Jesus began his ministry, people flocked from all over to see him heal the sick and perform miracles:
35 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. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” -Mathew 9:35-38
Although there was always a crowd around Jesus, he recognized that there were too many people for him to shepherd well in his earthly body. He told his disciples that the people were plentiful, but there weren't many people that were willing or able to help the crowds. He asked them to pray that God would send out laborers to help the multitude of people around him.
There are still so many people desperately in need of Jesus. They are like sheep without a shepherd. They need his guidance and his love. These people need to know the Great Shepherd. They don't even know that they are wandering through life, lost without God.
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. There are so many people who need this good news. You and I can be the laborers. We can lead people to Jesus. We can also guide them in the ways God wants us to live. We can shepherd them on a major scale by leading them to Jesus. We can also shepherd them on a smaller scale by navigating life with them, through a Biblical perspective.
Today, pray what Jesus asked his disciples to pray, " pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest". Pray that God will continue to raise up people to lead others. We need leaders who love God. We need people to shepherd Jesus' followers.
If you do not know Jesus and would like to, I invite you to enter into a conversation with him through prayer and in your own words tell him that you know you are like a lost sheep, wandering without a shepherd. Confess that your life without him is incomplete. Also understand that because of your sin, you cannot yet have a relationship with God until you do this. Tell him that you believe in his death and resurrection and you are now committing to make him the Lord of your life!
If you have done this, I encourage you to find a trusted Christian friend or pastor and share your exciting news with them. Then, find someone that will shepherd you and cause you to draw closer to God.
"Dear Heavenly Father, Our Shepherd, I pray earnestly today that you will send laborers out into your harvest. There are still so many people who need you in their lives. Help me to be unafraid of the role of shepherd. Help me to lead people with gentleness and kindness to you. Help me to help my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to live a life that is pleasing to you. It takes so much courage to step out of my comfort zone and lead. I ask that you give me the courage to be a laborer for your harvest, and a shepherd for your kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen."
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