Matt. 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;
Too often, our culture or society has untold influence on the church that is difficult to recognize. I think it has certainly infiltrated our thinking on this point. We live in a society that so celebrates being number ONE that being a role player is almost unacceptable. Michael Jordan was such a special basketball player. But he could not have won a single game if he played 5 on 1. Almost equally so, having a team of people that were all superstars such as Michael Jordan could have been unsuccessful because of a rivalry between personalities all wanting to demonstrate PERSONAL greatness rather than team success. Michael enjoyed success because he was supported by a TEAM of support players that complimented his talents.
In our first text in this point, Jesus says that laborers are few. Laborers...Support players. Jesus didn’t say that he there was a shortage of supervisors, managers and bosses who will stand back and look important. But rather folks that will roll up their sleeves and get to doing the work of laborers.
Matt. 14:14-21 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. (15) And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. (16) But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. (17) And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. (18) He said, Bring them hither to me. (19) And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. (20) And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. (21) And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Jesus performed a great miracle here, but notice that it was performed through the simple acts of people passing out food. What these men did, did not require training or great talent or education. Just the willingness to do what is needed.
Matthew 25:31-40 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (33) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (34) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (35) For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: (36) Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (37) Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? (38) When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? (39) Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? (40) And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Jesus tells us in this passage that serving others is one of several make or break criteria to getting into heaven. Again the description of the service is defined in the small things in life that literally any human being can do: Giving food to the hunger, giving a glass of water to the thirsty, giving someone a place to sleep, giving clothing to a person in need visiting those that needs encouragement.
Some folks act as if one cannot be a dynamic preacher, a skillful teacher, a persuasive personal evangelist, an operatic song leader, an inspirational elder, or a some other high profile leader then they are not important. On the contrary! Some of the most important tasks are simply willing to be a laborer. To do whatever it takes to accomplish the most simple tasks. Jesus says that he needs laborers. His disciples are to be the ones that fulfill that call.
Reflecting the SON,
Dennis Hogan
12 Hours of Jesus is a community focused effort to teach the world more about Jesus. Our first event is May 10th in Radcliff Kentucky.
Questions, comments or further explanation? Contact me at: dennis.hogan@icloud.com
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