Jesus didn’t play around when it came time to get about the business of shepherding the harassed and helpless. At the end of chapter nine, he tells his disciples to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers into his fields. It’s the same admonition that we hear from Jesus, but in our context the prayer that leaves our lips sounds more like a request to send outside reinforcements from some far-off, well-trained militia of super soul workers to undertake a task that we are neither equipped nor inclined to do.  It does not resonate with the tones of Isaiah, “Here am I. Send me!”

But chapter ten goes on to explain in detail that it was his twelve disciples who were sent out.  Not some other group at some other time from some other place.  These twelve men who had families, and jobs, and ideologies.  These twelve men who had spent time tracing a trail of dust with the one who held the universe together. These twelve men who had tasted the compassion and holiness of the Son of Man.

As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Let us be diligent in asking the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.  But let’s not be surprised when he sets us to that very task. “Here am I. Send me!”