After the experience of His transfiguration, Jesus “resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51 NIV) and the cross that awaited Him there. The time was fast approaching when His disciples would have to take up the full burden of the work that He had called them to. These disciples, especially the twelve Apostles, were faced with the overwhelming task of evangelizing the world. Accordingly, He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
It is a part of the Lenten season of preparation that perhaps has not occurred to us before—workers are needed for the harvest field of the world and it is our task to pray for those workers. We must ask the Father. Only the Father has the power and authority to call out additional workers to join in the task of sharing the good news. But as they prayed for more workers, they found that they themselves could be an answer to their own prayer. To help prepare them for that Jesus “appointed seventy-two others and sent them out two-by-two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” Jesus gave those He sent out specific instructions as to how they were to conduct themselves as they visited town after town. And then He gave a solemn warning to those towns that would not receive the messenger and his message.
Ultimately, it was not just the Twelve nor the seventytwo who were given this world-changing task. Every disciple of Jesus has that assignment—to share a personal testimony of what He has done for me. Biblical historians tell us that the reason the Christian faith spread so rapidly throughout the first century world was that every believer in Christ willingly shared his lifechanging encounter with Jesus. We are all called to be workers in His harvest field. The gospel account tells us that “the seventy-two returned with joy . . .” As we approach this Easter season may we find joy in sharing the wonderful truth of the resurrection and how it has transformed our lives.