In Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus is found doing the Father’s will, fulfilling His calling; teaching the people and healing their infirmities as He traveled toward the cross where He would pay the price for the sins of the world. The disciples were present but they did not fully understand all that was taking place, nor did they grasp the importance of their calling. Perhaps at this time, for them the call to the ministry was more of a career change than a divine commission. It is a sad day when people who feel the call to preach look at that call as one option among many that they may chose for their life’s occupation.

V36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Jesus was moved with compassion. The people were as sheep having no shepherd; they had no guide—overseer or pastor—to care for them. Knowing that His earthly ministry would be short, Jesus pointed his disciples to the need.

V37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

V.38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Jesus knew that if they would pray, then they would go unto the harvest fields. He knew if their hearts and minds were given over to the Father in prayer, no task would be too hard, and no demand from the Father would be too great.

We know that Jesus prayed, and the Bible says He was “moved with compassion.” Brethren, the world will never be evangelized by men and women who treat the gospel as a job and people as customers they may profit from. If people will be readied for heaven, it will be by men and women moved with compassion. Prayer carries us from this world into the presence of God. The only way to have our hearts filled with compassion is to pray. This is why Jesus told them to pray. He instructed them pray so they may see what He saw; so the desires for wealth and the things of this life would be swallowed up by an overwhelming passion to reach the lost.

Like the disciples, not all fully grasp the need of this hour. But if we will pray, not just casual prayer, but a fervent cry from the spirit that will touch the heart of the Father, He will pour out His Holy Spirit of power into our lives that we may fulfill that great commission to preach the gospel to every creature, and reap the harvest of precious souls for whom Jesus gave His life.