This is a strange statement coming from Jesus in a country where
religion was supposed to be central in everyone’s life. Something is terribly
wrong. Something needs fixing. This is important to us now as we live in a
similar time. We too are supposed to be Christians in a Christian Church - yet
many people are sensing that something is very wrong. Do we to have lots of
religion but little real Faith? We need to ask the same question as Jesus - why
are the church workers few?”.
1. The workers are few because we have lost our mission
In Jesus time most people went to the synagogues and Temple - but for
many, it was only an outward form. Their country was occupied by Roman
soldiers. They were harassed and confused. They felt defeated. Instead of
giving them hope, their ancient faith had not helped them against the Romans.
- It was a time like our
own, when many people feel our own church is drifting without real
spiritual direction or leadership.
- We feel like the people
in the Gospel who were “...harassed and helpless like sheep without a
shepherd...” (Matthew 9.36).
2. Jesus had a clear mission of radical new teaching and healing
