Equipping the Worker — Chair 3

For the first 18-21 months of His public ministry, Jesus’ disciples were largely spectators. They had front row seats to hear amazing teaching and see the miraculous. There had never been anyone like Jesus. They had never met anyone who spoke like Jesus. They had never met anyone who could do the things that Jesus did. The front row was an amazing place to be. I’m sure they were both thrilled and honored to be invited along for the ride. They cheered for Jesus. They worshiped Him. He was their long-awaited Messiah.

And then… then Jesus did the unthinkable! He invited them onto the field. He challenged them to be players, not just spectators. “Follow me… and I will teach you how to fish for people! Everything you’ve heard me say and seen me do, I will now train you to say and do.”

Our churches today are filled with spectators, and we’ve become very comfortable spectating. We like our seat in the stands. We like to cheer on Jesus. We’re content to sit in the stands and watch the professionals play the game, the pastors and youth pastors and ministry directors and elders and deacons.

Many who are sitting in the stands, spectating, don’t even realize that their destiny awaits them on the field. They have been created for a purpose, called to live on mission and custom-fitted with special equipment to make a contribution on the field that only they can make. The real spectators are the believers who have gone before us, watching on from heaven, cheering us on as we run the race that has been set before us.

When Jesus looked around and saw the vast spiritual need, He told His disciples that the harvest was great. There was great need, which meant that there was great opportunity. What He needed was more workers. He told His disciples He needed more workers. He asked the Father to send more workers.

The needs in our world today are great. Open your eyes. Look around you. The harvest is great, and Jesus needs more workers. But what is a harvest worker? Is it anyone who helps in any way with anything in the church? No. That would be a servant.

What is a harvest worker? A harvest worker is a disciple-maker. They lock arms with Jesus and help bring in the spiritual harvest. They share the gospel with spiritually lost people and help new believers to be established in their faith.

The person who is in Chair 3 is engaged in disciple-making by investing relationally in the person in Chair 1 and inviting them to place their faith in Christ.

The person who is in Chair 3 is engaged in disciple-making by investing relationally in the person in Chair 2 and inviting them to follow their model as they follow Christ.

Jesus delights in turning spectators into players, helping them to live lives filled with purpose and passion as they make disciples who make disciples.