Spread of the Good News

GOLDEN TEXT: “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.” —Luke 10:2

LUKE 8:1, 4-8; 9:1-6

IN THE plan of God it was designed that the good news of the kingdom should be spread through human instrumentalities. Jesus, while here in the flesh, was the foremost among these. “I am the light of the world,” he said. (John 8:12) But he commissioned his disciples to represent him, saying to them, “Ye are the light of the world.”—Matt. 5:14

Through his miracles and the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, Jesus’ fame spread, so that everywhere he went he doubtless found many anxious to hear “the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.” The Twelve were with him in this missionary work, observing and learning, and thus being prepared to serve in a similar way themselves.

Jesus’ popularity became so great that the people came “to him out of every city” and apparently gathered in large crowds to hear him preach the glad tidings. It was on one of these occasions that he related “The Parable of the Sower.” (Luke 8:1-8) In this parable the seed sown fell in various places—some by the wayside; some upon a rock; some fell among thorns, and some fell on good ground.

That which fell by the wayside was devoured by fowls; that which fell upon the rock, withered away; that which fell among thorns was choked out; but that which fell on good ground brought forth fruit.

This is one of the parables which Jesus explained. “The seed is the Word of God,” he said. The seed by the wayside, which is devoured by the fowls, shows the experience of so many who like the truth when they hear it, but before it has a chance to take root in their lives it is snatched away by the Devil. How often we hear people say, “That’s the best message I have ever heard, it is reasonable, it is good,” but the interest goes no further. They do not come back to another meeting.

The seed falling upon a rock illustrates the experience of those who, for a short time, and up to a point, accept the truth. But as Jesus explains, they cannot endure the temptations—Matthew’s account says “tribulations or persecutions”—which come as a result of embracing the truth. They do not have sufficient depth of character to endure trial.

The seed which fell among thorns is also joyfully received, and there is a greater depth of “soil” here. They endure longer, but in time are choked “with cares and riches and pleasures of this life.” These temptations are usually very subtle at first, and they are liable to attack those long in the way. So subtle is our great Adversary that it might appear that “riches and pleasures of this life” are necessities.

The good-ground Christians are those who endure, and who “bring forth fruit with patience.” Paul wrote, “Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Heb. 10:36) Patient endurance is a most essential part of Christian character. It is so easy to become “weary in welldoing,” and to faint by the wayside.

Perhaps one reason Jesus gave this parable was to encourage his ambassadors, those who would go forth as his representatives sowing the seed of truth, the Word of God, the Gospel of the kingdom. It should be an encouragement to realize that Jesus knew in advance that the results of our efforts would be very meager, that only a small portion of the seed would fall on good ground.

When Jesus sent his disciples into the ministry he gave them essentially the authority and power he possessed himself. They, too, were to heal the sick and to cast out devils, and “preach the kingdom of God.” (ch. 9:1,2) They were to make no provision for the flesh; at least, these were his instructions as he sent them out the first time.

Later, he reminded his disciples about this, and asked them if they had lacked anything, and they replied, “Nothing.” (Luke 22:35) It was indeed a work of faith. True, there was very little expense involved, and apparently Jesus knew that enough of the people benefited by healing and otherwise would be sufficiently appreciative to take care of the disciples’ personal needs, which they did.

The prayer of our Golden Text for more workers in the harvest was suggested by Jesus in connection with his sending seventy additional workers into the field. (ch. 10:1) These were given the same instructions as the Twelve, both as to their mission, and how they were to conduct themselves. These, together with the Twelve, and Jesus himself, made eighty-three miracle-working ministers of the kingdom Gospel, working in the little country of Palestine; for they were not to “go into the way of the Gentiles, nor into any city of the Samaritans.” (Matt. 10:5,6) Surely a wonderful witness was given, so that the Israelites of that generation can never say they were not given an opportunity to know that the Messiah had come among them.

QUESTIONS

What instrumentalities has God used throughout the ages to spread the good news of his plan for the blessing of “all the families of the earth”?

Relate The Parable of the Sower. What was Jesus’ explanation of this parable?

Under what circumstances did Jesus ask his apostles to pray for more laborers in the “harvest”?

What was the total number of “laborers” commissioned by Jesus to represent him during his earthly ministry?

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