Lecture 6 — The harvest and laborers

^9:35^ And Jesus went about all the cities and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every infirmity. [n. 801]

^9:36^ And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd. [n. 804]

^9:37^ Then he says to his disciples, the harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few. [n. 806]

^9:38^ Beseech therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest. [n. 809]

800. It was shown how he had helped those who approached; here he touches upon the fact that he went to them. And here he touches upon two things:

first, how he imparts an effect to certain ones;

second, how he gives affection, at and seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them.

And concerning the first,

first he shows where he imparts help;

second, what he taught; third, what he did.

801. It says then, and Jesus went about all the cities and towns. In which an example is given to preachers that they should not be content to preach in one place only; I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit (John 15:16).

All the cities and towns. And this is well ordered with what came before, because they had said that he cast out demons by the prince of demons; therefore he makes it plain that he does not have a demon, as befits him; with those who hated peace I was peaceable: when I spoke to them they fought against me without cause (Ps 119:7).

802. There follows what he announced; for he did two things, since he was teaching and preaching in the synagogues.

Teaching those things which pertain to faith, preaching those things which pertain to morals. Likewise, it was before many people, because he was in the synagogues; I have declared your justice in a great church (Ps 39:10), in which it also differs from the teaching of the heretics, which is secret. Not so the teaching of Christ: in secret I have spoken nothing (John 18:20).

Likewise, it touches upon what he teaches, the Gospel of the kingdom; for this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth (John 18:37). Hence he taught heavenly things; I am the Lord your God who teaches you profitable things (Isa 48:17).

803. Next, what he did by deed is shown: healing every disease, and every infirmity. Disease, regarding heavy infirmities; infirmities, regarding the light; who forgives all your iniquities: who heals all your diseases (Ps 102:3). And why is this? That he might confirm by miracle what he taught by word, the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed (Mark 16:20). Also, that he might show an example to preachers, that they should do and teach; Jesus began to do and to teach (Acts 1:1).

804. And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them. Here he shows how the Lord gave affection to certain men; and this against the opinion of some, for there has been the opinion that affection suffices for nothing, but rather an effect is required. But here he says, and seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them.

And first, he touches upon how he had compassion; second, he sets forth the example. And first, he sets down Christ’s mercy; second, the reason.

805. He says then, seeing the multitudes, namely with a pious consideration, he had compassion on them, because it is proper to him to be compassionate; his tender mercies are over all his works (Ps 144:9). David desired this vision, saying, look upon me, and have mercy on me (Ps 24:16). And he had compassion on them, because they were distressed by demons, and also lying, that is, prostrated by infirmities. Or distressed by errors, lying in sins, like sheep that have no shepherd. Hence, where there is no governor, the people will fall (Prov 11:14). And, and my sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd (Ezek 34:5); and in the same place, woe to the shepherds of Israel, that fed themselves (Ezek 34:2). As in, O shepherd, and idol, that forsakes the flock (Zech 11:17).

806. Then he says to his disciples. Here he leads other men to have compassion, and

first, he gives the reason;

second, he leads them to the effect, at beseech therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

And he sets forth two causes:

first, the multitude of those stretching out toward the good;

second, the scarcity of teachers, at but the laborers are few.

807. Many had come together, and so he says, the harvest indeed is great. The harvest is not said when the grain flowers, or when it is on the ear, but at the time when it is ready to be collected; thus men were already disposed to believing through the effect of preachers. A similar thing is found in, lift up your eyes, and see the countries; for they are white already to harvest (John 4:35).

808. But the laborers are few, namely good men; hence the Apostle: for we are God’s coadjutors (1 Cor 3:9). Spend therefore what is yours.

809. And what then? Beseech therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest. When we have a lack, we should run back to God, since the duty of preaching is only accomplished by prayers: for the one who sent the workers is the Lord, hence he says, I have sent you (John 4:38). And he asks that it should be asked, that we might accumulate merit when we pray for the salvation of others. Likewise, he set down such an ordering of things that the sanctity of some might profit others, as every man has received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Pet 4:10). Hence he willed that whatever they received of grace and sanctity, they should expend on others, and he himself hears when he is asked. For he asks that he should be asked to send them. And how will they preach unless they be sent? (Rom 10:15). For authority is obtained; likewise grace, hence: the charity of Christ presses us (2 Cor 5:14).

Similarly, beseech therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers, not mercenaries who corrupt others by a bad example, into his harvest, namely into God’s harvest. For mercenaries are not sent into God’s harvest, but into their own harvest, because they do not seek the glory of God, but their own gain.