7-6-25 “The Harvest Is Plentiful—So Let’s Go!”

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“The Harvest Is Plentiful—So Let’s Go!”

I want to start with something funny. I read this story on a website: A Jewish businessman in America decided
to send his son to Israel to absorb some of the culture of the homeland. When the son returned, the father asked
him to tell him about his trip. The son said, “Pop, I had a great time in Israel. By the way, I converted to
Christianity.”

“Oy vey,” said the father. “What have I done?”

He decided to go ask his friend Jacob what to do. Jacob said, “Funny you should ask. I, too, sent my son to
Israel, and he also came back a Christian. Perhaps we should see the Rabbi and ask him what to do.” So they
went to see the Rabbi. The Rabbi said, “Funny you should ask. I, too, sent my son to Israel. He also came back
a Christian. What is happening to our young people? Perhaps we should go talk to God and ask Him what to
do.”

The three prayed, explained what had happened to their sons, and asked God what to do.
Suddenly, a voice came loud and clear from heaven. The voice said: “Funny you should ask. I, too, sent my son
to Israel…”

Have you ever been asked to do something that felt too big for you? I have—many times. One of those
moments was at the very beginning of my faith journey. After being discharged from a long hospital stay, I
decided to do something for God because He had healed me. While my doctor had told me I wouldn’t be able to
walk again due to a broken spine, I was walking—by God's grace. At that time, the pastor at the church my
mother attended suggested I go to seminary. Even though I had promised God I would do whatever He asked of
me, this felt overwhelming. I had never imagined becoming a minister. So I gave the pastor many reasons why I
couldn’t go.

As I mentioned last Sunday, if you love, no excuses. But the truth is, even though I had made a promise, I didn’t
love God fully yet. So I had plenty of excuses not to go to seminary.

One excuse was that I hadn’t been baptized yet—and baptism was a requirement. So the pastor baptized me the
next week. Then I said, “I don’t have enough money to go to seminary.” He replied, “God will provide
everything you need.” I assumed that this meant the church might help. So I went to seminary. But to tell you
the truth, the church didn’t pay for my tuition. Yet, God provided everything I needed. As I pursued four
master’s degrees and one Ph.D., God continued to provide. I didn’t have any loan debt when I finished. Just as
the pastor said, God provided for me. And if I had kept making excuses, I don’t know where I’d be today.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus appoints seventy-two followers and sends them ahead to every town and village He
Himself intended to visit. Yes, there were probably many who rejected His calling with many excuses. But
seventy-two said yes. When Jesus sends them, He doesn’t give them a detailed plan. He doesn’t promise
comfort. He simply sends them out, two by two, saying, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
(Luke 10:2) It sounds like a big task—like working a harvest field. And as usual, Jesus is teaching with a
parable.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus uses parables of planting and harvesting to describe our faith journey. Since I
began gardening, I’ve come to understand these parables more deeply.

For example, in today’s scripture, Jesus uses the image of a plentiful harvest to describe people who are ready
to receive God’s kingdom. He sends the seventy-two to reach them—because He couldn’t do it all by Himself.

One detail I find meaningful is this: harvest means urgency. If you delay, you lose the crop. In my own garden,
when the vegetables are ripe, if I don’t pick them right away, I often lose them. Gophers, moles, deer—or even
rot—will take them. They don’t wait. I check my garden daily, watering and removing weeds. If I neglect it
even for a short time, the plants suffer or die. Isn’t it the same with our spiritual lives? If we don’t care for our
souls, they can dry up or wither under life’s pressures.

Jesus’ words speak just as clearly today—especially as we prepare for Vacation Bible School (VBS). The fields
are ready—we’ve prepared all the necessary materials. The children are near. The harvest is now—it’s time to
reach out!

You may have heard the saying: If we do nothing, nothing happens. I would add: If we do nothing, the church
may close soon. Luke 10:1 says, “Go to every town and place where He Himself intended to go.” Notice: Jesus
doesn’t send the seventy-two to faraway lands. He sends them into local towns and villages. VBS is one of
those “towns.” It’s not just a program. It’s a mission field. When we decorate, teach songs, serve snacks, or play
games, we are preparing hearts for Jesus. Let’s not underestimate the impact of one week of showing God’s
love to children. We’re going ahead of Him—and He will come behind us, working through everything we do.
Luke 10:5–7 says, “Say, ‘Peace to this house!’… Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you.” Jesus
didn’t ask the seventy-two to have it all figured out. He asked them to bring peace, to live simply, and to rely on
others. You don’t need to be perfect to volunteer.

You just need to be willing. Maybe you’ve never taught a Bible lesson. Maybe you think, “I’m too old,” or “I’m
too busy.” But Jesus isn’t asking for experts. He’s asking for available hearts.

Can you welcome a child with kindness?

Can you hand out snacks?

Can you show up with a smile and a prayer? Then you’re ready.

Jesus also prepares us for rejection: “If they do not welcome you… shake off the dust.” (vv. 10–11) Not
everyone will say yes. Even in Jesus’ time, some people rejected His calling—and the same still happens today.
Some parents might not bring their kids. Some volunteers may say, “Not this year.” That’s okay. Don’t take it
personally. Keep going. Keep inviting. Keep loving.

Our role is to plant seeds—not control the outcome. God brings the growth.

Luke 10:20 reminds us, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but that your names are written in
heaven.” Even if VBS is a big success—children laugh, sing, and hear the Gospel—our joy shouldn’t come
from results. Our joy comes from knowing we belong to God, and helping others discover that they belong too.
So I ask you today: Are you ready to be one of the seventy-two?

Are you willing to:
 Invite a neighbor family to VBS?
 Sign up to help for one day—or all four days?
 Pray for the children who will attend?
 Offer what you can, even if it seems small?

The harvest is plentiful. The kids are coming. Will you say yes to being sent? Our Vacation Bible School will
be held from July 28 to 31. The first volunteer training day is next Sunday, July 13! Please let me know if you’d
like to be part of this year’s VBS.

Thanks be to God. Amen!