“The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” — Luke 10:2
In Luke 10, we read about a powerful yet often overlooked moment in Jesus’ ministry. After commissioning the 12 apostles, He now chooses 72 other disciples and sends them ahead of Him in pairs, to towns and villages He was planning to visit.
“The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places He planned to visit. These were His instructions to them: ‘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.’” — Luke 10:1–2 (NLT)
This short passage is full of meaning. It gives us a glimpse of Jesus’ mission strategy, His heart for the lost, and His deep desire for partnership in ministry. Here are some insights for us today:
1. There’s More Work Than Workers
Jesus looks out at the spiritual landscape and sees a massive harvest—souls ready to receive, people hungry for truth. But the workers? They are few. So He tells them not just to go—but to pray.
Before we act, we pray.
Before we plan, we ask the Lord of the harvest to raise up workers—leaders, encouragers, evangelists, musicians, kids workers, youth leaders—because the field is ready, and time is short.
👉 What would happen if we prayed this prayer daily: “Lord, send more workers into Your harvest field”?
2. Jesus Sends Ordinary Disciples
This group of 72 is not made up of the 12 apostles. They are “other disciples”—everyday followers of Jesus who said yes to the call. They weren’t famous. We don’t even know their names. But Jesus knew them. And He trusted them with His message and power.
You don’t have to be a platform preacher or a bestselling author to make an impact.
If you’re a disciple, you’re called, and you’re sent.
3. Ministry Happens Best in Teams
Jesus sent them two by two. Why?
- For encouragement
- For accountability
- For partnership in prayer and power
This is a beautiful picture of how ministry is meant to work. No one is meant to go it alone. Worship leaders need tech teams. Pastors need intercessors. Evangelists need hospitality helpers. We’re better together.
4. Go Where Jesus Plans to Go
They were sent to places He Himself was about to go (Luke 10:1). That means our mission is not random—it’s aligned with where Jesus is already working.
Think of it this way: when you invite someone for coffee, visit a neighbor, teach a song, lead a Bible study—you’re not going in your own strength. You’re preparing hearts for an encounter with Jesus.
👉 Who might Jesus be planning to visit—through you—this week?
5. Ministry Is Both Powerful and Risky
Jesus warned them: “I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.” (v. 3). Ministry isn’t always safe or easy. There will be rejection, spiritual warfare, even danger. But they went anyway.
And when they returned, they were filled with joy, saying:
“Lord, even the demons obey us when we use Your name!” (Luke 10:17)
That’s the key—it’s His name, His authority, and His power.
6. Pray, Go, Trust, and Rejoice
This passage gives us a simple, powerful model for life and ministry:
- Pray for workers.
- Go where Jesus sends.
- Trust God to provide what you need.
- Rejoice in what God does through you—and in the fact that your name is written in heaven (Luke 10:20).
Final Thought
You may never be famous like Peter or Paul. But if you say yes to Jesus, He will use you like one of the 72. Unseen, unnamed—but faithful and fruitful.
Lord of the harvest, send more workers—and let me be one of them.
