Workers Needed

Workers Needed

Read: Matthew 9:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is so great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields.”  (Matthew 9:37-38 NLT)

            An advert by Sir Ernest Shackleton alleged to have appeared in a London newspaper prior to his Antarctic Endurance trip in 1914 read as follows:

“Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful.  Honor and recognition in case of success.”

            What would an advert placed in a newspaper for workers in Jesus’ day look like?  It no doubt would read something like this:

“Men and women wanted for difficult task of taking the gospel to heathen lands.  You will be misunderstood, even by those working with you.  You will face constant attacks from an invisible enemy.  You will be maligned by the media, accused of being an extremist, labeled as a fundamentalist, and shunned by your fellowman.  You may not see the results of your labor, and little recognition will be given.  It may cost you your home, family, ambitions, even your life.  Faint in heart need not apply.”

            If this ad were to appear in today’s leading Christian journals, how many applications would be received?  Would there be a long line and a sign reading, “No further applicants needed.”  Hardly!

            I thank God for the brave-hearted who are stepping up to the plate and committing their lives for a life time of service.  With many of our faithful missionaries nearing retirement age (many are still serving well past sixty-five), there is an urgent need for more volunteers.  We need young people who are willing to study linguistics and train to become our future Bible translators.  There is also a need for more teachers, computer technicians, accountants, construction workers, electricians, mechanics, secretaries, and public relations people.  If these needs are not met, Bible translation will be severely handicapped. 

            We as parents need to encourage our youth to get involved in ministry.  Better still, we need to set the example and get out of the bleachers and step up to the plate and swing away.  We may not get a homerun every time, but we can at least hit the ball somewhere.  It’s amazing what God can do when we give him our all. 

            Will you be willing to apply?  Jesus is still looking for workers for his harvest fields.