January 24, 2013 - Matthew 9:36-38

            When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  Matthew 9:36-38.

            The Marines used to say, “We’re looking for a few good men.”  This is a powerful phrase.  It calls a man to challenge himself and to be challenged.  It calls a man to ask himself if he has what it takes to face obstacles and to overcome them. It calls a man up to something bigger than himself.  In addressing His disciples, Jesus was calling them up to something bigger than themselves and was challenging them to pray for more laborers to go out in the world to harvest people for the kingdom of God.  Can you think of a higher calling than to do this work?  This is what Jesus calls us up to today – to join in with Him in reaching the people around us for the kingdom of God.

            Jesus saw the crowds that always seemed to gather around him as helpless and aimless, and His heart went out to them.  When I look around at the men in our culture and in our world, I see many men who are hurried, helpless, and hassled, just like the crowds that followed Jesus.  We can choose to stay in the comfort of our own circle of friends, or we can choose to answer Jesus’ call to be one of the laborers, as well as to pray for more laborers to go out to the harvest.  It is my choice.  It is your choice.

            Questions to consider: Are you one of “the few good men” – one of God’s laborer-harvesters?  Would you be willing to invest yourself in reaching men for Jesus Christ?  Would you be willing to take the risk to go out to where men are and to bring to them the life of Christ that is within you?  What will you choose to do?

            Prayer: Father, I no longer desire to sit back in my own comfort.  I desire to take the risk to reach men for Your kingdom’s sake.  Give me wisdom and show me how I should invest myself for Your sake.  I desire to be one of those “few good men”.  Amen.