Jesus' Command to Pray for Laborers and Then Send Them Out
IllustrationNature Nugget★★★★In Matthew chapter 9, it says Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogue, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease. But when he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them because they were fainting and were scattered like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to the disciples: ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send out laborers into His harvest.’ Now, Jesus looked at everyone just weak and scattered and was moved with compassion for them.
But then he looks at the disciples and says, ‘Why don’t you ask the Lord that He sends more laborers?’
Baca, Anthony, “03 Feed My Sheep” (AudioVerse teaching 44541).
The point
Jesus instructs his disciples to pray for laborers but also shows through action that they themselves are the answer to their prayers.