Matthew 9:38

Matthew 9:38 (KJV) is a direct command from Jesus to His disciples, arising from His deep compassion for the lost and His observation of the spiritual state of the world. This verse encapsulates a vital principle for Christian mission and evangelism.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' poignant observation in Matthew 9:36, where He saw the multitudes "faint, and scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." He then declares, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few" (Matthew 9:37). Recognizing the immense spiritual need and the readiness of people to receive the Good News, Jesus doesn't instruct His disciples to go immediately, but first to pray. This highlights the foundational role of prayer in God's mission.

Key Themes

• Divine Initiative and Ownership: The "Lord of the harvest" emphasizes that the mission belongs to God. He is sovereign over the spiritual gathering, and it is His work being done through human hands.
• The Urgency of the Harvest: The "harvest" metaphor signifies a time of readiness for spiritual gathering. Just as a physical harvest must be gathered before it spoils, so too is there an urgency in reaching those who are spiritually ripe.
• The Call to Prayer for Labourers: Jesus' instruction to "pray ye therefore" underscores that the sending forth of workers is a divine act, prompted by human prayer. It is not merely a request for more people, but for God to actively "send forth" (Greek: ekballo – ἐκβάλλω), which implies a forceful, urgent commissioning, highlighting the divine impetus behind true ministry.
• Compassion for the Lost: Underlying this command is Jesus' profound compassion for humanity, seeing them as "sheep without a shepherd." The prayer for labourers is a direct response to this deep empathy for those who are spiritually adrift.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word for "send forth" is ekballo (ἐκβάλλω). This word often carries the connotation of casting out, driving out, or sending out with force and urgency. It's the same word used for casting out demons. Its use here suggests that God doesn't just gently invite people to serve; He actively, powerfully, and urgently commissions and dispatches laborers into His mission field. This implies a divine compulsion and equipping for the task.

Practical Application

Matthew 9:38 remains profoundly relevant today. It calls believers to:

• Maintain a Missional Perspective: To see the world through Jesus' eyes, recognizing the vast number of people longing for truth and purpose.
• Prioritize Prayer: To earnestly and consistently pray for God to raise up and send out dedicated workers—missionaries, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and everyday believers—who are willing to serve in His harvest, whether locally or globally.
• Be Prepared to Be Sent: While praying for others, believers must also be open to the possibility that God might call them to be one of those labourers, equipped and sent by Him to share the Good News, fulfilling the broader call to make disciples of all nations.