Day 309.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (MAT 9:36-38 ESV)
Of all the ministries, going out to proclaim the kingdom (evangelism) is perhaps the hardest. We are fearful of offending, fearful of being ridiculed, ignorant of what to say. All of these things compounded leave us mute when it comes to the good news. And yet, people are in desperate need to hear. These words of Jesus lead us to pray for more workers, more that will share. So let us pray.
Let us also take note of the context of this passage. The chapter opens with the healing of a paralytic as a sign that Jesus has authority to forgive sin. Then we see the resurrection of a girl, the opening the eyes of the blind, and the mouth of the mute. If we see these two as signs, we see that Jesus raises the spiritually dead, opens the eyes of the unbeliever to believe, and opens the mouth of the mute to proclaim the kingdom. So, if you are fearful or nervous, or feeling too ignorant to speak, remember Jesus opens the mouth of the mute. Pray for God to send out laborers, and expect God to equip you to go.
