Matthew 9:35-38 The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few

We are living in the times of the harvest. Christ’s harvest. What does it mean to live in the times of the harvest? It means that we are living in times when the fruit is ready to be picked up because it is ripe. There is a season to sow and there is a season to water, but now is the season to reap! The fruit the Scripture is referring to is people. All kinds of people regardless of ethnicity, color, socioeconomic status, gender, even religion. Every man, woman and child!

What is it particularly that makes them ripe? What is it that makes them ready to be picked up? The ripeness refers to the spiritual condition of people. People are ready to listen to the message of the Gospel because they are hungry and thirsty for God. Just like the people in the Scriptures, people today are harassed, helpless, and like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus saw the people as harrassed. Harrassed by the religious leaders who would place great burdens upon them and did not want to move it themselves (Luk.11:46). People are disillusioned with every form of religion, but there is a spiritual hunger in their souls. Jesus saw them as helpless. They did not have the knowledge or resources to escape the legalism that was imposed upon them. They did not have the power to be set free. People today have opted for no religion or to make up a religion for themselves to satisfy their yearning, but the truth is that there is no satisfaction.

Jesus saw them as sheep without a shepherd. The leaders of Israel had gone astray and could not serve as guides to the people. This fulfills Ezekiel 34  where the Lord tells of the wicked shepherds who would use and abuse Israel (Ez.34:2-6). But the Lord promises to be our shepherd! (Ez.34:15).            The ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the good shepherd who would lay down his life for the sheep (Jn.10:14). People who are in relationship with God can exclaim like David in Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” God wants to gather all the peoples of the world into his kingdom and he began the work through his Son Jesus Christ while he was on this earth.

What are the means to gather the harvest?

1.              Proclaiming the Gospel

We are all responsible to proclaim. (The priesthood of all believers 1Pe.2:9). While preaching is definitely one way to proclaim the good news, it is not the only one. We proclaim through our rituals and ceremonies (1Cor.11:26). More importantly, we proclaim through our personal witness (Acts 1:8).

2. Performing good works We’ve been created for good works! (Eph.2:10). How seriously are we to take good works? We are to be devoted to them (Titus 3:8). Good works are for others to see and give glory to God (Mat.5:16). 3. With compassion But before moving into action, we must be moved in our inner being. The word translated compassion is a form of splagcni÷zomai, which means “properly, to be moved as to one’s bowels, hence, to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity).” This sympathetic pity is a necessary precursor to good works.

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel while performing good works moved by compassion. And so should we. God has given us example on how to work in the harvest. He has chosen you and me as the means to accomplish this great task of gathering people into his kingdom. It is not optional! It is a must! We are all laborers in the kingdom of God. It is not the job of the pastor. It is not the job of the evangelist. It is the job of the whole body of Christ. To follow Jesus is to be a laborer in his harvest proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom while performing good works moved by compassion.

Father, grant me to be a good laborer in the harvest of your Son. Fill me with compassion to do good works and proclaim the gospel of the kingdom.

Joshua 16-17 Allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh

The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, descendants of Joseph, were given their inheritance. Unfortunately, just like Judah, they did not drive out the Canaanites. Instead, they put them to forced labor, but did not drive them out. On top of that, the tribes of Joseph complained that their allotment was too small and they were too many for the territory. Joshua gives them a fourfold message that applies to me even today.

First, Joshua points out who they are: "You are a numerous people..." They lack assurance in their identity since they constantly thought of themselves as less than the Canaanites. Do I know who I am? My position in Christ is one of a child of God. I am vested with all the benefits of the kingdom by the grace of God. My identity is not based on anything I can do or merit. It is completely based on the work of Christ on the cross. He called me from darkness into light; from death unto life.

Secondly, Joshua reminds them of their resources: "... and have great power." In their complaint to Joshua, Ephraim and Manasseh did not fail to compare themselves with the Canaanites. The Canaanites' military might included chariots of iron. But God had granted great power to them because God fought for them. God has given me power to be his witness through the Holy Spirit who dwells in me. I must not fear the resources of the world and focus on the resources God has given me. 

Thirdly, Joshua tells them that they must work and toil to enjoy their reward: "... you shall clear it ... and you shall drive out the Canaanites." God fought for them and gave them an inheritance, but they must continue to work and toil to expand their territory and enjoy it to the fullest. Christ has given me all I need. I need not work to get into the kingdom, but I must work to keep what has been given me. It is not a work to merit, but a work to maintain. This work is totally dependent on the grace and mercy of God, but work I must. No lazy bums in the kingdom!

Finally, Joshua points to the promised future: "For you shall drive out the Canaanites..." If they are willing to embrace their identity, realize the power they've been given, and work hard to expand their territory, God would grant them the victory despite their chariots of iron. My victory in Christ is assured if only I am willing to work out my salvation. I must persevere to the end to be saved. I must wage the battle of faith day by day to establish God's kingdom upon the earth. His promises are true and will become a reality if only I press on.

Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ whose work on the cross saves me. Thanks for the power of the Holy Spirit that fills me. May I work day by day to establish your kingdom. Rebuke laziness and complacency in me. Fill me with hope in your promises. 

Matthew 25:31-46 The Final Judgment

The final judgment will be the day in which God will call everyone to give an account of their life. There are two destinations: eternal punishment and eternal life. There will be two groups: sheep and goats, meaning those who will enter eternal life (sheep) and those who will be thrown into the eternal fire. But there is one standard: how we dealt with the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and prisoner.

For sure, eternal life is not granted on the basis of works. It is granted for trusting in Jesus alone as Lord and Savior. Jesus clearly stated that no one can come to the Father unless it is through him. The works are the evidence of faith in Jesus. Even if someone were to perform all these good deeds he would not enter eternal life because they must be done as unto Christ. Jesus stated clearly that as the deeds were done to the least of his brethren, "you did it unto me."

Genuine faith is one that performs good deeds. It is one that has mercy on the needy. Mercy is one of the dimensions of true love and it is to have compassion, pity on those who suffer. My faith should drive me to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and the prisoner. My works are the evidence of my faith. If I am not driven by compassion to help "the least of these," how can I say that I have faith in Christ?

Many have trouble with the idea of eternal punishment. How can God punish anyone like that? It is a matter of justice. We all deserve punishment, but God has decided to rescue some through Jesus Christ. Those who reject him cannot expect to enter eternal life. There is no justice in giving the same reward to just and unjust. I have no trouble with a life sentence for someone who abused and killed a school girl. Why should I have trouble with a life sentence for those who trample upon the holiness of God? God's holiness is of higher value than the innocence and life of a school girl.

Lord, help me work out my salvation day by day. May I not be indifferent to the needs of those around me. Fill me with faith that works driven by compassion as I await with hope the great day of our salvation - the final judgment.

Matthew 21:33-46 The Parable of the Tenants

Fruitfulness is God's expectation for my life. Jesus explains in a parable how God (master) gave every resource (a fenced vineyard with a tower and winepress) required to Israel (tenants) so that it could produce fruit. Unfortunately, when the prophets (servants) came to inspect and demand fruit, some were stoned and others killed. Finally, God sends Jesus Christ (the son) to them and they kill him (crucifixion). The vineyard has been taken away from them and given to other tenants (Gentiles) who will produce its fruits.

It is easy to focus on Israel's failure to produce, but I can fail the same way. Fruitfulness is an expectation, even a demand because God is the one who provides everything I need. All I have to do is work. I'm not talking about working for my salvation, but working out my salvation. I could develop the attitude of the first tenants and think that what God provided is mine and that I don't have to give an account to anyone. Failure to produce is not an option.

What kind of fruit does God expect from me? For starters, the fruits of the Spirit should be evident in my life. It is imperative that I take inventory of each one of them and ensure that they are produce in my vineyard: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. How am I doing? There is certainly a lot of room to grow. The trend is encouraging, but I can't be lazy or careless. I must continue to work. Gardeners know this better than most: A good harvest requires much work and care.

The fruit of my vineyard should be filled with good deeds also. God has prepared many good deeds for me to do. Helping those in need. Serving the local church. Providing for those who suffer. All these are good works designed for me to do and I must not shy away from them. Ultimately, what good is faith if there are no works. Part of the good works I must accomplish is evangelism. To be a witness for the kingdom so it can expand and grow. Every soul that comes into the kingdom becomes a precious fruit of my labors.

Lord, give me diligence and watchfulness to work in your vineyard. Don't let me become a bum who produces no fruit. May there be abundant fruit in my life day by day. Strengthen me to work; encourage me to persevere; fill me with hope.

Matthew 19:16-30 The Rich Young Man

It is easier for me to think of doing something to get eternal life. The concept "there is no free lunch" is pretty embedded within me. If I need something, I buy it. I work to earn the things I need. Unfortunately, the kingdom of God is not like that. The rich young man asked Jesus what he must do to receive eternal life and Jesus told him: "keep the commandments." To be certain to major on the important ones, the young man asks: "which ones?" Jesus goes through a partial list of the commandments and the young man feels pretty confident that he has kept them. He has done well.

But Jesus challenges the young rich man: "If you would be perfect..." The kingdom of God is about being. The doing follows the being. I turn God's kingdom upside down when I think that doing is what comes first. Doing without being is empty and void. My heart cannot be committed to the things I do unless I am changed from within. The Lord prescribes to the young rich man what he needs to be perfect: "sell what you possess, and give to the poor, and come follow me." The young rich man went away sorrowful...

What do I have to give up in order to be perfect? Do I own anything I must give up? Is there something in my life that I must give up? Are there habits that I must give up? Attitudes? Beliefs? Values? Lord, help me pinpoint what I need to give up to truly be perfect.

It is difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God (as difficult as passing a camel through the eye of a needle). Some scholars believe that the eye of a needle is a small entrance at the gate of a city. It is not easy for a camel to make it through. But if we go by the impossibility expressed by the disciples, it may actually be a thread needle becoming a figure of speech to express an impossibility. But for God nothing is impossible. He can change a rich man's heart. He can change my heart. Salvation, eternal life, entrance into the kingdom of God is not about performing the commandments; it is about being perfect and that being is brought about through the transformation power of our God alone.

There is no sacrifice (giving up something for less) in the kingdom of God. I can't give up anything for which God will not compensate me a hundredfold. My job, my salary, my family, my possessions, my anything cannot amount to more than what God can offer me. God promises me a compensation that cannot be measured by earthly possessions when I decide to follow him. When I decide to follow him into ministry, there is no sacrifice no matter what I give up.

Father, create in me a heart that is willing to abandon it all and follow you. I am yours. May nothing in this world hold me back from committing myself wholeheartedly to serve you.

Matthew 5:13-20 Salt and Light

By nature, salt and light are salty and bright respectively. Their properties are inherent characteristics of what they are. Salt was used as a preservative and a seasoning. It was a symbol of durability and value. Light is used to represent the good; that which is of high moral character. 

Those who belong to the kingdom of God ought to be salt and light. The saltiness and brightness of a Christian is determined by good works. Good works don't justify, but they testify. If I am a member of the kingdom of God, my conduct will be so different from the world that even the world will notice that I am different. We are not to conform to the world's attitudes and conduct, but we are to follow the kingdom's attitudes and conduct.

We were created for good works. Good works that God has prepared for us to do even before we were born. We are called to walk in them (See Eph. 2:10); to be a model of them (Titus 2:7-8); to be devoted to them (Titus 3:14); and to be zealous for them (Titus 2:14).

I need to make changes in my attitudes and conduct that conform to kingdom values and stop excusing myself because "everybody else does it." I need to rise above "everyone else" in the name of God and set a standard for myself that is above the world's. It requires my willing determination as well as my working discipline to make it happen.

Lord, help me live a life that is salty and bright. Help me work the good deeds you have set for me to honor you. Don't allow me to conform and become complacent, but challenge me to do your will.