In today’s gospel reading, we are reminded of Jesus’ famous saying, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” It is so often true, in many areas of life, isn’t it? Whenever there is something good to be done – helping the sick and injured, teaching those without access to good education, getting alongside needy youth – the possibilities are always beyond the capacity of the relatively small number of people putting up their hands to do it. The need is overwhelming.
But although it is often true, Jesus said it specifically about the world’s overwhelming need for gospel workers. As he went about proclaiming the good news, he saw that the crowds were “like sheep without a shepherd”. They so desperately needed to hear the news of the kingdom of God. Here in Sydney’s east, the people around us are no different. Most have no real spiritual leadership that would lead them to the Saviour.
Jesus’ response is to “pray to the Lord of the harvest, to send out workers into the harvest field.” God the Father loves his world and desires everyone to come to a knowledge of the truth. He is able to raise up more messengers of the good news – hospital chaplains, youth and kids’ leaders, SRE teachers, full-time gospel workers, but also ordinary Christians who will share the gospel with family and friends. Let us pray to the Father (the Lord of the harvest) to raise up these workers from among us.
In-person ministries are returning this week: Kids’ club, Youth, SRE, and of course our 10 am Family Communion service from next Sunday. Why not invite be the answer to our prayer, and invite someone along to experience our Christian community?