Devotion: Gathering the Harvest

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’” ~ Matthew 9:37

I am two generations removed from true dependence on the family garden for food. Just close enough to remember picking an armful of vegetables and fruit from the garden, yet far enough away that my own garden consists of a single tomato plant growing from a bag of garden soil in the backyard.

We had a little garden in the front yard of my childhood home. I remember watching sprouts turn to plants and blooms turn to vegetables. I stooped low to pull yellow squash from the dirt. Picking green beans always led to more work; we would have to snap them later. I can still feel the prickles of the okra plant irritating my arms as I traveled the rows to cut vegetable from their tall stalks.

I didn’t like to pick the squash much. Even breaded and fried, it wasn’t my favorite. The green beans didn’t really thrill me either. I’ve already discussed the discomfort of okra. But the Tommy Toes! I didn’t even have to be asked.

Tommy Toes were my absolute favorite food to harvest. These tiny tomatoes grew in clusters within a supporting wire cage. Often, in the middle of playing with Matchbox cars or Barbie dolls in the yard, I would run to the garden to see if I could find any ripe Tommy Toes. They went straight into my mouth. As soon as the crisp skin broke between my teeth, the juice, warmed by the sun, landed on my tongue with a rush. Ah, the taste of fruit straight from the vine!

My love of Tommy Toes sent me rushing to the garden even when it wasn’t time to go picking. Their warm, red skin appealed to me. The desire to bite into them drew me. I enjoyed breathing in the pungent smell that rose to my nostrils when the stem of the fruit separated from the plant. My love for tomatoes is probably why I spend my little bit of gardening energy on growing a tomato plant in our backyard.

Jesus spoke of the harvest with His disciples as He sent them ahead to Jerusalem to prepare the way for His arrival. They moved from town to town, receiving no welcome. The hardship of following Jesus started to become a reality. He even labeled them “lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3 NIV).

As they traveled, Jesus issued this plea for help: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Luke 10:2 NIV).

What would cause these men to walk toward conflict in order to minister in the name of Jesus Christ? It is the same thing that drew me to those bright red Tommy Toes—love for the fruit.

When I read the commissioning of Jesus’ disciples in Luke 10, sorrow shadows my heart. I know my own reality. I am a disciple of Christ, but I am not in the harvest field. I am playing in the dirt with my Matchbox cars and Barbie dolls.

I surround myself with like-minded people who agree that Jesus is the Son of God and call Him “Lord.” I discuss the truths of Scripture in my small group. I lift a hand in worship as the music grows loud in the sanctuary.  All of these things are good and worthwhile. Yet even with all these good things in my life, Jesus stands on the edge of the field and calls to me: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

If I consider myself a disciple of Christ, I must enter the field as a harvest worker. He does not want a reluctant or hesitant worker (see Luke 9:57-62). He wants a worker who is passionate about the harvest. If the love of a tasty Tommy Toe can draw me to the garden to harvest, certainly a love for the precious soul of another ought to do the same.

Lord, first I confess to You the selfishness in my own heart. It has kept me silent, seated in my comfortable seat among other believers. I ask that you give me a deep, genuine love for others. Help me to love them more than my own comfort. As I learn to love them as you do, I, too, will be willing to lay down my life for them. Lord of the harvest, send out workers into this harvest field. Lord, send me.

Scripture for Reflection

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”  (Luke 10:1-12 NIV)

Reach for More

This week’s challenge will stretch you and me. Pray that the Lord would send you someone with whom you can share your faith this week. Remember, this is more about letting God lead you and making genuine connections with His people than anything else. His words beg to be shared out of love and not out of duty. The challenge is to reach just one person, but Jesus said the harvest is plentiful, so do not be surprised if you encounter more than one!

Please, come back and leave a comment telling us about how God spoke to you this week, or share your progress on social media using the hashtag #tgtreachformore. We want to rejoice with you as the harvest is gathered.

Kelly Smith is a small town girl who married a small town man 17 years ago. She has three energetic blessings, ages 1 to 11. Her favorite indulgences are coffee, reading, writing, and running. Kelly believes we are created for community and loves to find ways to connect with other women who are walking in the shadow of the cross. She blogs at mrsdisciple.com.

 

Photograph used with permission from, and copyright of, Michelle Lenger.