by Pastor Alex Ruelo
Matthew 9:35-38 says, ”Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”“
Jesus travelled to several churches and synagogues to teach. When jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion over them. What do you see whan you see the crowds? That depends on who or what you are. If you are a businessman, you will see them as a means to make business. If you are a pastor, you will see people who need to be taken cared of. But if you are an evangelist, you will see people who need to be saved. Have you tried to share Jesus to other people? If not, then you would have not felt the happiness of seeing people repent from their sins and come to Christ. You may have also felt rejected when they do not want to accept Him.
There are several possible reasons why you have not shared Jesus.
You probably do not know how to share Jesus with others.
You might be afraid of rejection.
You think it is not your job.
You think evangelism is awkward.
You are not ready for hard questions.
Your life does not match your message.
You think Christianity has a stigma.
You do not know how to bring it up naturally.
You have so many other reasons and excuses. But really, it is so easy. Sometimes, you just have to pray for them. The man is Mark 5:1-4 has this story. ”So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.“
There were many times Jesus asked people not to tell them about Him. But now, He specifically asks the man to tell his relatives about Jesus. And what did the man do? Mark 5:20 says, ”So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed."
He did not only tell his relatives. He went to the decapolis, which consists of ten cities, and tells them about Jesus. How many times did the man encounter Jesus? Just once. That was his only card. He was freed and he started telling people about it. That easy. You may have all the reasons to share Jesus to others but really, it is very easy. Just tell them about what He did for you.
If there are reasons why you do not share Jesus, there are more reasons to share Him to the world.
The gospel creates new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “For we live by believing and not by seeing.”Look at the people around you. Have they not been changed by God? Everybody has a story about their old life. And everybody has a new story to tell too.
Jesus made the gospel our mission. Mark 16:15 says, “And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.“ When God tells you to do something, do you ask Him to wait? Delayed obedience is disobedience. When you ask your children to do something and they tell you to wait, they have already disobeyed. It is the same thing with you. If you do not share Jesus with the world, you are disobeying Him.
The gospel reveals the heart of God. 2 Peter 3: 18 says, ”Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.“ When you share it to the world, you are telling people how much He loves them. But the relationship does not stop there. There is a process. And the longer you know Christ, the better you have to be.
The gospel plans and waters the faith. 1 Corinthians 3:7 says, ”It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.“ Your work is to share the gospel and to keep on obeying God. You water the seed you have planted but its growth is all in God’s hands.
God says a spiritual harvest is ripe. Matthew 9:37 says, ”He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.“ More workers are needed. So many people need the Lord. Grab all the opportunities you have to share the gospel.
Sharing the gospel sparks a celebration. Luke 15:10 says, ”In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” When we share the gospel and one person accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, heaven rejoices too.
Sharing the gospel unites believers. 1 John 1:3 says, “We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.“ Religion and demnomination are not important. Outside appearances are not important too. That is not the way to salvation. Jesus is.
We imitate Christ when we share the gospel. Philippians 2:5 says, ”You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Jesus humbled Himself to save the world. He died for everybody and you imitate Jesus when you share the gospel.
The gospel encourages believers. 1 Corinthians 1:24-25 says, ”But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.“ When you share the gospel and people repent of their sins, the feeling is great. Some churches are dwindling because nobody shares the gospel. The church is like a living thing that grows. And for it to grow, the gospel needs to be shared.
The gospel adds goodness to the world. Ephesians 2:9-10 says, ”Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.“ It changes the world.
Sharing the gospel glorifies God. Isaiah 43: 7 says, ”Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.’” This is the ultimate goal of the gospel. God could have made everything good with a snap of His finger. But He uses us to glorify His name. When a person repents, heaven rejoices and God’s name is lifted higher.
Everybody’s motivation should be their compassion for the lost. Matthew 9:36 says, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.“ You should have compassion over people who have no direction and are lost. God is probably feeling the same thing.
The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Matthew 9:37 says, ”He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.“ There are many churches working together for the kingdom of God. But still, the workers are not enough.
The solution is to pray for more laborers. Matthew 9:30 says, ”So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” People all have different gifts, but everybody is commanded to share. You do not need to share theology. All you have to do is to share what God has done in your life.
There was a Dutch merchant who is a collector of diamonds. A salesman from a store in New York called him because they have a rare diamond that they thought he might want to buy. So the Dutch salesman went to the store and the salesman explained to him about the rarety of the diamond. The Dutch merchant left the store without buying it. The owner of the store ran after him and asked if he could sell the diamond to him again and he agreed. After the owner’s explanation, the Dutch merchant bought the diamond. He then asked the owner of the shop how he was able to convince him to buy the diamond. The owner said that he pays the salesman to say all the right things to be able to sell the diamond. He said the salesman knows the diamond but he loves the diamond.
Many people can talk about Jesus. But if you do not love Jesus, people will not believe you. They will not buy the idea that they need Jesus. It is pertinent that you love Jesus first before you share Him to the world. If you do not know Him and have never experienced Him, people will not believe you. You are just a salesman. But if you start sharing what He did for you , people will come to Him. Poeple need the Lord just as you needed Him. You do not have to be afraid to share Him with others. You will have compassion for others because Jesus had the same compassion for you. Will you share Jesus now?