The Truth
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest.
Matthew 9:37-38 (CSB)
The call to evangelism involves identifying, engaging, and actively participating in the harvest work. In Matthew 9, Jesus highlights the harvest as the ready fields of lost souls prepared to respond to the Gospel. These fields surround us daily, as many people around us need to hear the Gospel message and are eager to respond.
Growing up, my parents always kept a garden. It was my dad's hobby, as he enjoyed watching things grow and yield. Helping my parents and observing their gardening taught me about the effort needed to prepare soil, the significance of planting seeds, caring for plant growth, and harvesting at the right moment. The harvest only existed because of the careful work done beforehand.
When considering evangelism, it is essential to acknowledge the work that needs to be done. We must recognize the presence of a harvest. According to the Joshua Project, approximately 3.56 billion people worldwide have never encountered the Gospel of Jesus Christ and are considered unreached. Additionally, Barna Research Group reports a consistent decline in Americans identifying as Christians, while those practicing non-Christian religions or none at all are increasing. These facts highlight the fields that need the Gospel and the abundant harvest surrounding us.
When a white field becomes known, we must actively engage with it. The process of engagement begins well before the harvest is visible. It starts with preparing the soil, planting the seed, nurturing the plants, and finally gathering the crop. In evangelism, this involves sharing the gospel even if there's no immediate response (planting the seed), persistently communicating the message (watering), and praying for the eventual salvation (harvest).
The Lord commands us to pray for the workers—those sharing Christ—to step into the harvest field. As we read further, we see that those who pray for workers should also be active laborers. The truth is clear: we must pray for others' salvation and fulfill the Great Commission by becoming evangelists ourselves.
QUESTIONS
How can recognizing the vastness of the harvest around us impact our personal approach to evangelism?
How can believers actively respond to the call of evangelism?
