Matthew 9:36-38: When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to His disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Jesus tells us in the gospels to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. After Jesus’ passion, the disciples were assembled in the upper room and were praying. As they were praying, the Father sent His Spirit upon them and baptized them with His holy fire. It was through this divine act that the church became mobilized to fulfill the Great Commission.

In today’s passage, we read where Jesus was looking upon the people that day, saw the weariness on their faces, and was moved with compassion for them. Even though that Scripture was penned over two-thousand years ago, the compassion of Christ is still reaching out to the multitudes of people around the world who are weary and scattered. Jesus is saying to the church of today, “My tables are filled with diners, but My fields are in need of laborers.”

Are you a child of God? If you are, it doesn’t matter where life finds you today, for you are still a servant of the Most High God and you have a job that needs your time and attention. According to Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth (and us), we all have a ministry. It’s called the ministry of reconciliation. No one can reach a lost and hurting person like someone who is with that person and knows Christ like you do—namely you. If you’re a Christian, then know that God can use your availability to reach out to those whom the “four-walled church” cannot. You are the church or temple of the living God, and God wants you to be activated and to win souls for Him. Simply make yourself available to the Lord and the Holy Spirit will show you the plan and the person or persons you are to impact for His kingdom. One sows the seeds and another waters those seeds, but it is God, who gives the increase.

We must not place the burden of saving the world upon the Church because you are the Church—one of “the called-out ones.” You’ve been called out of darkness and into His marvelous light. It’s now your personal responsibility (DUTY) to share your testimony and love with others. Will you make a commitment to Jesus to at least be willing to let Him use you to reach someone who might otherwise spend eternity separated from God without your help?  —submitted by Asa Dockery, US