Matthew 9:35-38
Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Have you ever watched a child play with bubbles? You know the ones I'm talking about - those in the bottle or tube with the little wand that has a circular band on the end for creating delicate - and elusive - prismatic spheres that quickly drift away or fall to the ground and burst. Children are often all about catching those bubbles and holding onto them for a few seconds. But their attention quickly turns to the next batch.
I'm afraid this is just how we Christians often treat new believers. We are so invested in them...so concerned about their spiritual future...so eager for them to invite Jesus to be the LORD of their life. We want to add their names to our membership rolls at church and share their story with others. We are excited about their decision and hold them up as examples of how Jesus can work in the lives of others. And then we are done.
This is how we interpret Jesus's challenge to be "harvest hands". We're a lot like the child with bubbles...or a kid opening presents at Christmas or on his/her birthday. Each package holds our attention for a few minutes...and then we move on to the next one. In my opinion, many of the "confused and aimless" to whom Jesus refers in this passage are not the "lost"...at least not in the sense of this word that we generally recognize.
Take a good look at the prayer list for your church. How many of those folks do you know personally? Have you not only prayed for them, but also connected with some of them...sent a card, made a phone call, dispatched an encouraging e-mail or just offered a hug or handshake when you met them in public? Take a mental inventory of those who attend your church - or rather, attended. Where are they now? If they have stopped coming on Sunday, do you know why? What about that person in your circle or the community at large who seems to have dropped off the face of the earth? Have you made any inquiries about these folks? Are their hearts bruised and hurting? Are they sick or in need of some kind?
What about the elderly and infirm? Are they shut away in a facility or at home, and no one other than paid employees or immediate relatives are checking on them to let them know that they matter? Are we so busy flitting from one "pretty bubble" or gift to the next that we have neglected the "sheep" in our midst? I honestly believe that when Jesus "visits our towns and villages", He is grieved at how quickly we lose interest and focus in those who are in our own back yards.
Remember the story in Luke 15:3-4 of the "lost sheep", and how Jesus talks about going after one out of 99 that was missing. Each person is precious to Him. We all matter! Our transformation in Jesus is instantaneous...and at the same, we are ongoing "works in progress". We all need continual nurture and care. And as much as Jesus seeks "harvest hands" to bring more people into a relationship with Him, He wants us to cultivate strong discipleships and kinship among fellow believers.
We desperately need real "harvest hands"...believers who are awake, alert and "dialed in" to the needs of those in their midst. In every "town and village", there are sick, bruised, hurting and lonely people who are hungry for a touch of Jesus' love and care...and YOU may be the person He has chosen to deliver it. Will you be so busy blowing new bubbles that you fail to recognize those all around you?
Are you ready to get your "harvest hands" dirty for Jesus? Don't you think you should be?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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