But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” 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.”
Who Were The Few?
As Jesus pauses to look at all the people in Matthew chapter 9, He communicates the famous passage of Scripture used to call on more missionaries, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Who were the few? Who were the ones that were already out in the field? They didn’t have to be told. They were on the front lines, the leading edge of what was needed.
Throughout Scripture, God uses the few to accomplish great feats.
Here are some examples we can learn from:
- Joshua and Caleb had a Godly perspective and were the only two out of twelve who believed what God said – that they could take the promised land. They saw the promised land through the promise God gave them, not their natural senses.
- David was the only one out of an entire army who trusted in God’s authority and knew he could beat a giant! David didn’t allow passivity to control his actions. He boldly took initiative and control of the situation.
- God took Gideon’s army of 32,000 down to 300 men to defeat the Midianites. We learn here that it’s not in our own strength but God working “with us” to accomplish what seems to be impossible. God uses the few! He uses the little to do something big!
This is a word for you today. For the body of Christ to be bold, take initiative and see the impossible as possible. It is the Holy Spirit in us who gives us the power and desire to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13). We have the Holy Spirit in us now.
God’s not done with you yet! Be encouraged. He wants to use you. He has already given you the boldness to pray for someone you know who’s struggling but doesn’t know Jesus. Maybe it’s time for you to take a step into that business venture you know he’s put on your heart or run for some type of elected position. Whatever it may be for you, I believe God has called you to be like “the few.”
My dad, our founder Dr. Terry Law is one of the few. Some of these characteristic traits are a piece of his ministry DNA he deposited in me. It continues to define the culture of World Compassion as we work fields that are difficult but white with harvest.
One of those white fields is the Muslim world.
In the midst of all the trouble the COVID pandemic has brought, one of the positives is people’s hearts are open to a message of hope. It’s like an extended harvest season.
Can you help us mobilize workers in Iraq? People like the few – who are moved with compassion to serve people’s physical needs and lead them to Jesus – The Shepherd!
