Luke 10:2

Context

Luke 10:2 is part of Jesus' instructions to the seventy (or seventy-two) disciples whom He was about to send out ahead of Him into every town and place He intended to visit. This verse sets the stage for their mission, immediately preceding His detailed directives about how they should conduct themselves and what message they should deliver. It highlights the urgent need for evangelism and ministry as Jesus' journey towards Jerusalem and His ultimate sacrifice progresses.

Key Themes

• The Abundant Spiritual Harvest: Jesus declares that "The harvest truly is great." This metaphor refers not to agricultural crops but to the vast number of people ready to receive the message of the Kingdom of God, or those who are spiritually lost and in need of salvation. It signifies a tremendous opportunity for spiritual growth and conversion. This theme is echoed in other Gospels, such as when Jesus tells His disciples to look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.
• The Scarcity of Laborers: In stark contrast to the vast harvest, Jesus notes, "but the labourers are few." This points to the insufficient number of individuals actively engaged in sharing the Gospel, ministering to the needy, and bringing people into God's kingdom. It underscores a persistent challenge in God's mission throughout history.
• Prayer for Workers: The command "pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest" is central. It emphasizes that the sending of workers is ultimately God's sovereign act, not merely a human organizational effort. The disciples are called to humble themselves and appeal to God, who owns the harvest and can compel workers into His service. This highlights the foundational role of earnest prayer in advancing God's kingdom.
• Divine Initiative and Urgency: The mission is God's, and He is the one who "sends forth" the laborers. This implies a divine compulsion and an urgency in the task. The word for "send forth" (Greek: ekballo) is strong, often meaning to "cast out" or "drive out," suggesting a forceful, divine dispatching of workers into the field.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "harvest" is therismos, referring to the act of reaping or the crop itself, used here metaphorically for souls ready for salvation. "Labourers" comes from ergatai, meaning workers or toilers, implying those who exert effort in the field. The verb "send forth" is ekballo, which carries a sense of forceful or urgent sending, not merely a gentle invitation. This underscores the divine imperative and the pressing nature of the mission to gather souls.

Practical Application

Luke 10:2 remains profoundly relevant today. It calls believers to:

• Engage in Prayer: We are first and foremost commanded to pray for more workers in the spiritual harvest. This means praying for individuals to be called into ministry, missions, and everyday evangelism, and for believers to recognize their role in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).
• Be Willing Laborers: While we pray for others, we must also examine our own lives and willingness to be sent forth by God into His harvest. Every believer is called to be a laborer in some capacity, using their gifts and opportunities to share the Gospel and serve others.
• Recognize the Urgency: The "harvest" is always great, signifying that there are countless people in need of hearing the Gospel and experiencing God's love. This verse inspires a sense of urgency and purpose in evangelism and discipleship.
• Trust God's Sovereignty: The mission is ultimately God's. He is the "Lord of the harvest," and it is He who sends the workers. This encourages reliance on His power and provision rather than solely on human strength or strategy.