Matthew 9:36-38 ^– But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

1.  The Reality of the Harvest

I am so burdened with this passage of scripture. For one moment consider what the Lord Jesus Christ is telling his disciples, “The Harvest truly is plenteous”. Jesus Christ saw the multitude and he was moved with compassion for their souls. They were sheep with no shepherd – they had no guidance or guard in a world in darkness. Can you imagine seeing people the way Christ saw people? Imagine being able to see a human being with an eternal eye, as Christ did. Can you imagine how that would change our perspective? Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, moved with compassion for these men and woman because of their lost condition. May I suggest to you that there is a world that is lost! May I remind each Christian that the harvest is ready, and there is a job to accomplish, now!

2.  The Reproach of the Harvest

I am convinced that as Christ told His disciples that the world, this harvest, was plenteous that in His mind He was sadly stricken by those who would not go. Paul said in Romans 9:15, “
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” How shall they hear unless they are told? Why are untold millions still untold? It is simply in the truth that moved our Saviour with compassion – “the labourers are few”. This group of lost sheep – they had no shepherd!