Help Wanted

2/7/2026

Elijah McSwain, Sr.

Matthew 9:37-38 NKJV — Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Historically, companies and individuals in need of assistance posted “Help Wanted” signs. These signs conveyed the sentiment that there was urgent work to be done and a dire need for help. It was a visible display of recruiting individuals to help perform a specific task or tasks. Today, such terminology has become obsolete. However, in the marketplace, we still see similar language prominently displayed in the form of “Now Hiring” signage. Even though the verbiage may have changed, the clarion call remains the same. Help is wanted. Matthew 9:37-38 is a clarion call in the gospel to invite faithful laborers into the mission field to advance the kingdom of God. Verbally, Jesus has posted “Help Wanted” signage to encourage Christians to actively engage in evangelistic outreach to the lost. It is the duty of every Christian to engage in the work of reaching the unsaved for Christ. In this written composition, we will analyze the words of Jesus to reveal the elements of a plentiful harvest, a labor shortage, and the need to pray for help.

The Harvest Is Plentiful

The background setting of this passage involves Jesus’ public exhortation to address the need He perceived among the people during His visits to certain cities and villages on a ministry expedition. As He went into these cities and villages, He taught in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people (v. 35) In verse thirty-six, He was moved with compassion for them because they were weary and scattered like sheep without a shepherd. This signified the reality of their condition and His profound statements in the following verses. Jesus then spoke to His disciples, saying, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (v. 37).  

The harvest refers to the harvest of souls. The harvest is ripe for gathering willing souls in need of salvation and transformation. Jesus used agricultural terminology to convey that the lost are a mission field for every disciple to engage. This was not some futuristic statement that needed to be delayed; it was a present reality of spiritual necessity.

The matter at hand was indispensable. It was a matter that should not be disregarded or neglected. Jesus saw these individuals as ripe for harvesting. He verbalized that the souls of mankind were ripe for gathering. The word “ripe” suggests that souls were ready to be brought before God, as disciples of Jesus conveyed the truth to them. Communication of divine truth would convict the hearers and persuade them to submit to the Lord of the harvest. The Lord saw the crowd as individuals ready to receive His glorious truth. The statement that the harvest is plentiful indicates that there was much spiritual work to be done in the mission field. Jesus desires that His followers compel men, women, boys, and girls to come to Him for salvation.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses agricultural language to emphasize the need for active involvement in the harvest. The disciples were surrounded by crops. Jesus used this moment to teach an objective lesson on urgency. John 4:34-36 (NKJV) reveals “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.”

The “ESV Study Bible has an excellent comment – In the physical realm, there is a period of time between sowing and harvesting. But in the spiritual realm, Jesus’ coming has already ushered in the end-time harvest in which sowing and reaping paradoxically coincide, so that the “crop” of believers is now being gathered into God’s kingdom.” ₁

In the physical realm, when you plant a seed, it takes time for the seed to grow and produce a crop that can be harvested or gathered when it is ripe. However, in the spiritual realm, sowing and reaping go hand in hand. When the Word of God is sown in our witness to the lost, it is with the intent to immediately draw in the souls of men through a spiritual harvest, ready to be transformed by the truth of God. Thus, Jesus emphasized that the harvest is plentiful and that Christians should go into the mission field to witness, with the mindset that God will convert sinners at that present moment. Thus, every believer should have compassion for the lost as Jesus does and view people as Jesus does. A clear understanding of this will empower ambassadors for Christ to display love through our evangelistic mission and actively participate in the harvest. We will fulfill the Great Commission, as Mark 16:15 (ESV) commands, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” The plenteousness of the harvest should prompt us to adhere to Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV) to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The harvest is plentiful. There is much work to be done in our communities, homes, schools, government, and in the world at large.

Are you willing to give yourself to the work of the ministry to advance the kingdom of heaven?

There Is A Labor Shortage

A labor shortage occurs when the demand for labor exceeds the supply of available workers. It is a major difference between the number of laborers needed to perform tasks and the number of workers available to work. Ultimately, Jesus addressed that “The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Jesus used workforce terminology here to imply that the need for laborers exceeds the spiritual workforce. It would seem safe to assume that there are plenty of workers available to engage in kingdom work, given all the individuals who profess Christ as Savior. Sadly, that is not the case. Why is that not the case? H.B. Charles, Jr. provides one tier of the answer regarding the shortage of laborers. He states, “Why the shortage? One reason is the nature of the work. We would rather be leaders, not laborers. We want to be served, not serve. Jesus called us to be fishers of men. We rather be keepers of the aquarium. The big tragedy is people die. The bigger tragedy is that they will go to hell without Christ. The biggest tragedy is that people will die and go to hell because no one introduced them to the truth and love of Jesus.” ₂

We live in a culture and time when people don’t possess a strong work ethic. This is evident in the atmosphere of the secular workplace as well as in the spiritual arena among believers. A vast number of professing Christians have a distorted view of the nature of our heavenly vocation and calling. Thus, it shows in their unwillingness to work. The body of Christ is called to serve. One of our means of service entails engaging sinners. The problem of unwillingness lies in the disinterest of Christians in being active in the work they have been called to. They have a lack of interest because they have a tainted view of ministry.

Ministry is seen as a form of glory for individuals, not as a means of serving the Lord.  

Therefore, individuals seek prominence rather than being a lowly servant. This superficial persona of ministry prevents them from truly engaging in the ministry of outreach and living by the Great Commission.  

Another reason for this labor shortage is the presence of too many Christian spectators who observe from the sidelines.

They are passive in their approach to outreach and evangelizing the lost because of fear and a sense of inadequacy. In this case, they have an excuse-driven mentality because they are afraid to share the good news concerning Jesus. Such individuals are afraid of rejection and opposition from those who will not hear them. This philosophy makes them afraid to have a conversation about Jesus. Unfortunately, the good news of redemption, forgiveness of sin, and new life in Christ is withheld at the expense of objections and personal comfort. Basically, this feeling of fear is a rationalization of their own sense of inadequacy. In these instances, Christians have resorted to their own power and logic rather than trusting Jesus and being discipled in evangelistic methods of engagement by the local church or other Christian institutions. Therefore, this tier of Christians is slow to suit up for Christian labor and the advancement of God’s kingdom.

The last tier consists of Christians who are complacent in their walk with God. There is a lack of serious devotion to growth and progression in their faith. They are content with being saved, redeemed, delivered from hell, and excited about going to heaven, but their hearts are not dialed in to doing the work they have been commissioned to do. They are self-satisfied. Little to no regard is given to the spiritual well-being of others who are living without Christ.

All three tiers boiled down, as my brother Phillip McSwain, Jr., would say, to a problem with the posture of their hearts.

Hearts that do not align with God’s will regarding obedience are not eager to help advance His cause. There is a tremendous need and a great field for Christian service. Unfortunately, there is a lack of willing hands readily available to work because of their mindset. Christians must understand the times in connection with the harvest. Understanding the times will lead those of the faith to commit their hands to kingdom work and to show forth the love of God toward their neighbor. Romans 13:10-11 (NKJV) speaks in these terms: “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”

Spiritual laziness and apathy are not highly regarded by God among His people.

He desires that disciples of Jesus be aware of the times and carry out the nature of His divine business. David Guzik noted, “The good of a harvest can go to waste if there are no laborers to take advantage of the bounty. Jesus warned us that opportunities to meet human needs and bring people into His kingdom may be wasted because of a shortage of laborers.” ₃ It is crucial that believers be about their Father’s business so that the harvest of souls is not wasted.

Pray To The Lord of The Harvest

In verse thirty-eight, Jesus concluded, “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” The Lord instructed believers to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers to harvest the field of the souls of mankind. The righteous are commanded to pray for those who will be sent out. The Epistle of James explains why it is important for Christians to pray. The latter part of James 5:16 (NKJV) states, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Prayer is the channel through which Christians communicate with God, and in turn, God answers prayer by demonstrating His power in the situation.

Thomas D. Lea stated, “Effective prayer comes from the heart of a believer whose passion is to see the will of God worked out in life.” ₄

The Lord commands believers to pray if they desire to see change in the Christian labor force. Prayer for help in Christian evangelization is necessary so that God will send out willing workers to harvest the world. In our prayers, we should pray for disciples to wait on God’s appointed time to send them out. The field belongs to the Lord, as the biblical text reveals, it is His harvest. He along commissions what place of servitude believers will serve in.

Pray that God will develop willing hearts among the body of Christ for service. Pray that the labor force will have compassionate hearts in seeing people the way Jesus sees them. Pray that the saints will be devoted and faithful as they are sent out to serve. Pray that disciples will have an understanding of the Great Commission and love in accordance with that mandate. Pray specifically that laborers would be purpose- and mission-oriented according to God’s will and not their own agenda. Pray that they would be sent under the Lord’s authority and for His purpose.

Pray for the fruit of their labor. Pray that it would be impactful and fruitful. Pray that God would be magnified and that souls would be transformed.

In Luke 10:1-12, we see the seventy appointed to go out into the harvest to carry out the will of God. H.B. Charles, Jr concluded, “When the church needs workers, we beg people to serve but do not beg God to send them. Prayer is the Lord’s solution to labor storage. Luke 6:12-13 reports Jesus prayed all night before choosing the twelve apostles. Acts 13:1-3 reports the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas part to missionary work as the church fasted and prayed. It should always be at the top of our prayer agenda that God would send out laborers into his harvest.” ₂ You may not be appointed to an evangelism team in your local church or sent on a mission trip, but you are still obligated to share Christ with a dying world in some capacity. Sharing Christ may be evident to others as they read your life at home, at work, in the community, and in other sectors of society. This may be the opportune moment for someone to approach you or for you to approach them and share the components of the faith. Every Christian should, in some way, be known for sharing Christ.

For those who are sent in the capacity by a local church should wait until they have been authorized and equipped for this form of service. Much prayer is needed when consulting the Lord about sending out laborers into His harvest. Help is wanted, but seeking help should never be done without seeking the Lord in prayer. Prayer should be the posture and mode of engagement as we go to the Lord of the harvest.

Pray that the Lord would raise up individuals to serve.

In turn, He will instill in the hearts of Christians a desire to serve in His mission field. A song composer captured the essence of Matthew 9:37-38 by the following lyrics.

"Lord of the Harvest

Let your voice be heard

In every nation

In the farthest comes

Of the World

Shatter the darkness

Let your truth be known

Gather the nations to bow

At Your throne

Lord of the Harvest

The fields are ripe for harvest

But the labourers are few

Father send Your workers

Those with hearts for You

Out into your vineyard

Weeping as they go

Help them reap a mighty

Harvest of souls

Some of us will water

Others plant the seed

Some of us will battle

In the heavenlies

None of us take glory

For those who find the truth

Jesus their praises

Are waiting for You

Lord of the Harvest" 5

May the Lord raise up laborers for the harvest.

Notes

1. https://www.preceptaustin.org/john-4-commentary#4:35

2. https://hbcharlesjr.com/resource-library/sermon-outlines/hands-for-the-harvest-matthew-935-38/

3. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-9/

4. Lea, Thomas D. 1999. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

5. https://www.preceptaustin.org/matthew-9-commentary#9:37