Luke 10:1-12 (the passion translation)
2 He released them with these instructions: “The harvest is huge and ripe. But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in. As you go, plead with the Owner of the Harvest to drive out into his harvest fields many more workers.
Why did Jesus use this moment to tell them to pray (plead) for more workers. I would’ve thought we should pray that the people would listen, that they would have ears to hear and eyes to see etc. No, He told them to plead to God the Father. Why was it up to them, surely Jesus would’ve prayed – maybe He did and God the Father said they had to pray, they had to want it.
God wants all men to be saved, the question is how much do we want it? At what cost to us?
He said the harvest is huge. Today we would say the same. He said it was ripe, I think we believe that is true today. He didn’t tell them to pray the harvest in, or pray for the people to believe. He said as they go, pray for more workers or harvesters.
He used the word drive out more workers/harvesters. It is an interesting turn of phrase – it implies a reluctance on the part of the harvesters. It is up to us to ask God. He does the driving.