 Yup, that’s me in the picture. A regular Georgia Peach! J
Last June, on our way to a Florida ministry engagement, we drove past luscious Georgia peach orchards. We stopped to tour a peach packaging plant and, of course, to buy some freshly picked peaches. YUM! I couldn’t help noticing the men manning the conveyor belts. Diligently they surveyed the passing peaches, separated the good ones out, and sorted them according to quality. Today I was remembering that peach harvest as I meditated on Matthew 9:35-38.
Jesus had done quite a bit of missionary travel himself. He had just gone through all the towns and villages preaching the good news and healing all the sick. Whew! That’s a lot of ministry! As he looked at the people he was moved with compassion. He saw that no matter how much He did there were still more towns and more people who needed help. The disciples were with him, helping any way they could. So, Jesus turned to them and said these familiar words, “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask (pray) the Lord of the Harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” Mt.9:37-38
 Peach harvesting season is upon us again. It is not a one man job. Some have had to plant the seeds, water them, prune the trees, watch for insect infestation, and make the decision about just the right time for picking. Then, workers, lots of workers, are needed with baskets, ladders, trucks, food and water for the pickers … and so much more. It is no small task to bring in the harvest of ripe delicious peaches.
So, when Jesus looked at the fields of His Father’s sheep that were white and ready for harvest, he knew the formidable task would take many hands. His disciples were already working with Him, and one day they would be on their own. So, he turned to them and said something like this, “listen boys, it’s a big world of hurting people out there. You are going to need help to carry MyFather’s love and care to people. You better start praying now. You are going to need people to house you along the way, to feed you, to refresh you, to come beside you to pray for the sick with you, to supply gas money, (well maybe donkey fodder) and to even go before you and make a path for doors to be opened.” (Please read Matt. chapter 10)
Jesus must have gone aside that night and prayed to the Lord of the Harvest Himself. In the next chapter the first verse we read, “He called his twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out spirits and to heal every disease and sickness” Matt. 10:1 Then He sentthem out!
Today Jesus is still praying to His Father. He is still moved with compassion over the multitude of hurting people. Are you? Am I? Are we letting the Father’s love in uscompel us to pray for the needs of lost, the emotionally wounded, the sick, the helpless, the fatherless, and thedying to be met? Do we care that the harvest is ripe? Are we willing to be sent? Are we ones that are willing to go but need others to co-labor with us?
 I see this prayer as a double-sided picture. First of all, as ones who have signed up to be workers in the field, we need others to co-labor with us. Jesus himself knew there was no way, as a single human being, that he could reach all the areas he wanted to reach. Thus, the converted woman at the well became a missionary to her town and made a way for the good news Himself to minister there. The healed demoniac went throughout Decapolis, without Jesus, witnessing to the love of God demonstrated in his life. Don’t forget also, that people ministered to Jesus’ personal needs for food, housing, transportation, and even places to teach.
The other side is this: “Lord send me!” Yes, we must each pray, “Lord send me to carry Your love to people. Send me, like the workers in the peach field, to bring a ladder, a basket, or a drink of cold water to another who is gathering the ripe crop.” We each have a part to play. Not one little thing you do to help reach hurting people goes unnoticed by the Father. Find out what you are called to do. Help the ones who are willing to go “pick the peaches”. This is just as needed as the going, and in the Father’s eyes it is the same! Don’t forget that, ever! Jesus is still moved with compassion over the multitudes today. Like the little boy with the few fishes….do you have something in your hand that just might make a difference? Jesus prays even now, “Father send the workers.” Let’s volunteer to help Him gather the harvest. Let’s go with what we have and what we can do and make a difference today. It is really a “peach of a job” we have been given!
Ending note : I just want to personally thank those of you who have already walked in this revelation. Those of you who regularly join Randy and I through your prayers and support have already “signed up” and responded to our petition to the Lord to “send laborers”, ones with “ladders and baskets” who are helping us reach people with the Father’s love. We so appreciate those who have recently opened doors for us to come to areas in New York and Massachusetts to share the good news of the kingdom of God! What can we do to bless you? We love you and thank you for being willing to “go” with us, one day, even to the nations!
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