"Here I am. Send me" | By Rev. Jack Miller
 
When we read this passage from Matthew, we can’t help but picture Jesus standing before a sea of faces, tired, hurting, searching. He doesn’t turn away. He doesn’t grow impatient. Instead, his heart is stirred with deep compassion. And here’s the amazing part: that same compassion beats within our own hearts, encouraging us to follow Christ’s example.
 
Jesus doesn’t just feel something, he does something. He calls his disciples, ordinary people with ordinary flaws, and sends them out to bring hope, healing, and truth. That means we don’t have to be perfect to be part of his mission. We just have to be willing.
 
When Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few,” he’s not making a casual observation; he’s issuing a rallying cry. The world is full of people longing for peace, guidance, and love. And we are part of God’s answer to that longing.
 
So, here’s the challenge to each of us: don’t just pray for God to send someone, let’s be ready for Jesus to send us. Step into the harvest with courage. Let his compassion fuel our actions. We might be surprised at how Jesus uses our lives to change someone else’s forever.
 
Our scripture is more than a historical moment; it’s a blueprint for how God moves through his people today.
 
First, there is compassion. Jesus sees the crowds and feels their pain. This is not distant pity; it’s the kind of love that moves one to act. And here’s the hidden truth: when we allow God to open our eyes to the needs around us, we will never see the world the same way again.
 
Second, there is prayer. Before sending his disciples, Jesus tells them to pray for more workers. Why? Because prayer changes us. It aligns our hearts with God’s heart. And often, as we pray for God to send help, we discover that he is calling us to be that help.
 
Finally, there is a mission. Jesus doesn’t just inspire his disciples; he equips them with authority and power. He sends them to proclaim the Kingdom, heal the sick, and bring freedom to the oppressed. That same spirit-empowered mission continues today, and we are invited to be part of it.
 
This passage is a reminder that we are not spectators in God’s story; we are participants. The harvest is ready. The world is waiting. And God has chosen you and me to carry his light into the darkness.
 
Look around you. Those “sheep without a shepherd” are not just found in ancient Galilee; they are in our cities, our workplaces, our schools, and our social circles. They are people searching for meaning, battling loneliness, or carrying burdens they struggle to bear. And here’s the good news: we have been called to bring them hope.
 
Our Gospel reading is not just a story; it’s a mission briefing. Jesus still sees the crowds. He still feels compassion. And he still sends his followers into the harvest. That means you and I are being called right here and now.
 
Yes, the harvest can be messy. It might mean stepping into uncomfortable situations, listening to hard stories, or standing up for what’s right when it’s unpopular. But we are not sent empty-handed. We go with the authority of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the message of a Kingdom that brings life.
 
So, let’s not hold back. Let’s not wait for the “perfect” moment or the “perfect” skill set. The time is now. The harvest is ready. And the same Jesus who called the Twelve is calling you and me, right where we are, to be his hands, his voice, and his heart in the world. All we have to say is the same words spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “Here I am. Send me.”
 
May the Lord of the harvest grant us compassionate sight to see the broken and weary, courage to answer, and grace to go where he leads. May we know that we are not alone in the sending; the Spirit equips us, the Father loves us, and Jesus goes before us. Let us go in peace, bearing the light of Christ into every shadowed place, Amen.