JESUS THE LORD OF HARVEST
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Matthew 9:35-38
Key Verse: “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.” – Matthew 9:38
Supporting Texts: John 4:35; Luke 10:2; Psalm 126:5-6; Revelation 14:15; Mark 16:15
INTRODUCTION
The harvest of souls is the heartbeat of God and the central assignment of the Church. Jesus did not only preach the gospel; He revealed Himself as the Lord of the Harvest, the One who oversees, directs, and empowers the mission of reaching the lost. The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few, and the urgency of this reality forms the foundation of Christ’s call to prayer and action.
In Matthew 9, we see Jesus moved with compassion as He looked upon the crowds scattered like sheep without a shepherd. This compassion was not emotional weakness; it was divine responsibility. It was the compassion of a Saviour who sees both the need and the urgency. The harvest field is the world, and the souls of men are ripe for the kingdom.
Today, this message remains relevant because the harvest is even greater. The world is filled with confusion, sin, rebellion, and darkness, yet hearts are longing for truth. Jesus still calls His church to rise, to labour, to intercede, and to go forth empowered by His Spirit. This study helps us understand His role as Lord of the Harvest and our role as His labourers.
1. JESUS IS THE OWNER AND CONTROLLER OF THE HARVEST
Jesus is not a passive observer in the mission field; He is the divine owner of the harvest. Every soul belongs to Him, and every assignment is orchestrated by His wisdom and authority.
a) He owns the harvest (Psalm 24:1). The earth and all its inhabitants belong to God, meaning that the souls of men are His possession. Evangelism is therefore not a human idea, but a divine mandate rooted in God’s ownership.
b) He prepares the hearts of men (Ezekiel 36:26). Only Jesus can transform the human heart and make it receptive to truth. Behind every genuine conversion is His unseen hand softening and convicting.
c) He determines the timing of the harvest (Acts 1:7).Seasons of revival and mass conversions operate on God’s timetable. No effort of man can ripen a harvest before its time, but Jesus knows the perfect moment.
d) He calls and appoints labourers (Mark 3:13-14). Labourers in the kingdom are not self-appointed; they are chosen and ordained by Christ. The desire to serve is itself a call from the Lord of the Harvest.
Biblical Example: Jonah was sent to Nineveh because God had prepared the city for repentance. Though Jonah resisted, the Lord insisted because the people belonged to Him (Jonah 3:1-10).
2. JESUS IS MOVED WITH COMPASSION FOR THE HARVEST
Jesus’ leadership in the harvest is driven by deep, unfailing compassion. His heart beats for the salvation of souls.
a) Compassion births evangelism (Matthew 9:36). When we see people as Jesus sees them: lost, wounded, and directionless, we are stirred to reach out in love.
b) Compassion reveals spiritual hunger (Amos 8:11). Beneath the surface of many lives lies a silent hunger for God. Compassion helps us discern this need and respond effectively.
c) Compassion empowers boldness (Acts 4:20). When love for souls fills the heart, fear loses its power. Compassion drives believers to speak with boldness.
d) Compassion rejects condemnation (John 3:17). Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it. True labourers must carry this same heart of redemption.
Biblical Example: Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44), revealing His sorrow over their spiritual blindness and His desire for their salvation.
3. JESUS SENDS AND EMPOWERS LABOURERS FOR THE HARVEST
The Lord of the Harvest equips His labourers with everything necessary for effective ministry.
a) He empowers labourers with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8). Evangelism without the Holy Spirit is powerless. The Spirit gives boldness, conviction, and supernatural results.
b) He gives authority to break spiritual barriers (Luke 10:19). Soul-winning is spiritual warfare, but Jesus equips His servants with authority to overcome demonic resistance.
c) He gives wisdom and utterance (Colossians 4:3). Jesus opens doors for ministry and grants His servants the right words to speak at the right time.
d) He strengthens His labourers (Isaiah 40:29-31). Weariness is part of labouring, but Jesus renews strength and keeps His servants going with divine energy.
Biblical Example: The disciples in Acts 2 were empowered by the Holy Spirit and became bold and effective witnesses, bringing thousands into the kingdom.
4. JESUS COMMANDS US TO PRAY FOR LABOURERS
Before sending labourers, Jesus commands the church to pray for them. Prayer is Heaven’s strategy for raising soul-winners.
a) Prayer aligns the church with God’s heartbeat (1 Timothy 2:1-4). When the church prays for the lost, it aligns with God’s greatest desire that all men be saved.
b) Prayer releases divine labourers (Isaiah 6:8). Many respond to God’s call in the place of prayer. Intercession births labourers.
c) Prayer breaks resistance over territories (Daniel 10:12-13). Territorial strongholds fight the gospel, but prayer opens the gates for the Word to prevail.
d) Prayer ignites revival and boldness (Acts 4:31). A praying church becomes a powerful harvesting church. Revival always begins in the place of prayer.
Biblical Example: Before Jesus sent the seventy disciples, He asked them to pray for labourers (Luke 10:1-2). Prayer activated their mission.
CONCLUSION
Jesus, the Lord of the Harvest, calls His church into the greatest assignment on earth: the rescue of souls. The harvest is vast, the need is urgent, and the fields are ripe. He invites us to see as He sees, to feel as He feels, and to labour as He empowers. Our response determines the destiny of multitudes who are waiting to hear the message of salvation.
As we yield ourselves to His call, He strengthens us with divine power, wisdom, and compassion. This is the hour to rise as labourers in His vineyard, to pray, to go, and to reap the harvest with joy. The Lord of the Harvest is calling, may we respond wholeheartedly and faithfully.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, make me a true labourer in Your harvest field.
2. Father, give me compassion for the lost like Jesus had.
3. Lord, send forth labourers into every nation and community.
4. Holy Spirit, empower me for effective soul-winning.
5. Lord, prepare the hearts of those You want me to reach.
6. Break every spiritual resistance hindering the harvest of souls.
7. Lord, open doors of utterance for bold evangelism.
8. Strengthen every weary labourer in the kingdom.
9. Lord, release revival fire upon the Church for global harvest.
10. Father, let the harvest of souls in my generation not be wasted.
