The Nature of Evangelism

Scripture reading: Luke 10: 1-24

Focus verse: Luke 10:1-3 "After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.  Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.  Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves."

There's a moment when you know that the harvest is ready and it's time to collect the harvest.   You need to get the food out of the field.  If you have a large field, you find people who can work in the fields and gather it together.  You have a limited time before the harvest spoils and so you work very hard together.

This is the scene that Jesus used to describe evangelism.  In our scripture reading, Jesus sent them out two by two.  We also might remember that Paul traveled with partners or small groups.  Evangelism is best accomplished together.  It is great that we get to see this example in scripture of Jesus sending his disciples out in pairs.  We need each other as an encouragement and protection as we go out.

The hired worker wouldn't bring back the crop and say that he, himself, made the fruit or vegetable.  In the same way, those who share the good news can't say that we made the conversions.  We understand that it is the Holy Spirit who convicts the soul and makes a life new.  In the same way, we neither take the blame when someone rejects the Gospel if it is presented clearly.

Evangelism is a community event.  In pairs or groups, we go into the fields for harvest when the crops are ripe.  God is the one who changes hearts.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries