Luke 10:2

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Luke 10:2 (KJV)

Context

Jesus spoke these words while sending out seventy disciples, two by two, ahead of Him into every city and place where He Himself was about to go (Luke 10:1). The instruction came immediately after their commissioning and before His warning that they would go out as lambs among wolves (Luke 10:3). This verse therefore stands at the heart of Jesus’ mission strategy, preparing His followers for the work He was about to give them.

Meaning

Jesus begins by declaring that the harvest truly is great. The harvest is a biblical metaphor for the work of God in bringing people to faith. It represents the souls of people who are ready to receive the message of the Gospel and enter into a relationship with God. Jesus saw the readiness and abundance of people who were receptive to the message of salvation, and He emphasized the urgency and importance of the mission.

Despite the greatness of the harvest, Jesus points out that the labourers are few. He recognized that there were limited resources available to accomplish the task at hand. The scarcity of workers highlights the responsibility that each believer has in participating in the work of God’s kingdom. The Greek verb rendered “send forth” carries the sense of “thrust forth” or “drive out,” suggesting an active, forceful sending by God. The prayer is directed to God as the “Lord of the harvest,” acknowledging that He owns the harvest and is responsible for sending workers into it. This indicates that the mission belongs to God, and the response to the shortage of workers is prayer to Him.

Application

• Awareness of the Harvest: As believers, it is important to have a proper understanding of the spiritual harvest. We need to recognize the great need for people to come to faith in Christ and the urgency of spreading the Gospel.

• Recognizing Our Role: Just as the disciples were called to be labourers, every believer has a responsibility to participate in God’s work. We are called to share the message of salvation, demonstrate God’s love, and serve others in His name.

• Praying for Labourers: We should earnestly pray to the Lord of the harvest, asking Him to raise up more labourers for His work. This includes not only praying for more missionaries and ministers but also for individuals within our own communities to be inspired and equipped to share the Gospel.

• Responding to God’s Call: When we pray for labourers, we must also be open to God’s calling in our own lives. He may be prompting us to step out in faith, to serve in a specific capacity, or to support others who are engaged in the harvest.

Reflection

Luke 10:2 reminds us of the vastness of the spiritual harvest, the need for more labourers, and the power of prayer in seeking God’s provision. The mission belongs to God, yet He invites His people to participate both by going and by praying. May we be inspired to actively participate in God’s work, pray for labourers, and respond to His call to make disciples of all nations.