Dear Christian friends:

Here I have the Classified Advertisements of the Los Angeles Times for this Sunday. I am looking at the "Help Wanted Ads." There are many various jobs offered: electrician, plumber, engineer, clerk, secretary etc. These ads explain what talents, skills, training and experience are needed to get the jobs.

Our text for today is like a “Help Wanted Ad." Our text is Jesus' advertisement for workers in His Kingdom.


What kind of workers does Jesus need? First, Jesus needs workers who share his compassion for the “lost sheep."

In_our text we read, "When Jesus saw the many, many people, He pitied them, because they were wandering and helpless, the same as sheep without a shepherd.” During Jesus' time here on earth, most of the people did not really know God. They were afraid of God and felt ashamed and guilty because of their sins and wrongs. They did not know that God sent Jesus to suffer and die for their sins, so that they could have forgiveness and be His friends. It is the same today. Most people do not really know God, that He is kind and shows mercy and forgives sinners.

Many people see God only as a Law-giver, who blesses those who try to obey his laws and punishes those who break his laws. They think they can obey his laws and please him by loving others and helping the poor and needy. They do not confess that they have a sinner heart and cannot really love others or God. True, they perhaps agree that sometimes they fail to love God and their neighbor, but they think that's okay! God accepts them because they try to be good.

Others, know that they are bad and sinners, and they perhaps think God is displeased with them and doesn't care for them. They perhaps say, "God is not fair! God is strict. I don't want him." Some of these people perhaps despair and have no faith or hope in God. They try to forget him or say, "There is no God!" They are like sheep straying away without a shepherd. They don't know that God loves sinners and sent his Son, Jesus Christ to save all of us sinners by his death and resurrection on the third day.

Today most people are wandering around, confused and helpless. We, also, were the same. Before our baptism we were the same as lost sheep. We did not know about God's wonderful love and mercy in Jesus. But God has found us and He has called us to believe in Jesus through our baptism and through the Good News preaching. One of our favorite hymns is this one:

"Amazing grace; how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see."

Since we, ourselves, were once lost and blind in spirit, we can and should fell compassion for those today who are still spiritually lost and blind. Jesus needs such workers in His Kingdom. In our text Jesus said to His disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few; therefore, you pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send workers into His harvest. (verse 37) Those who feel compassion for the lost sheep will pray for workers, and then go and work themselves. Those Jesus asked to pray for workers, He then sent to work. Jesus needs workers who share His compassion for the lost sheep.

Secondly, Jesus needs workers in His Kingdom who know that He has called them.

In our text we see that Jesus called 12 men. He called them by their names. Then Jesus sent them to preach. These 12 men knew that Jesus had called them and had given them a job. They had no doubt or question about that. They were called and sent men.

Jesus has also called each one of us in baptism. Jesus knows our name which our parents gave to us in baptism. If you are baptized, Jesus has named you and called you to work in His kingdom. You should have no doubt or question about that.

Jesus also needs workers who know His mission. The twelve disciples knew Jesus' mission for them that time. Jesus at that time sent them to preach to the Jews only. He forbade them to preach to other nations or races. (verses 5-6)

Jesus also has given us our mission today. He has commanded us to preach to all nations, to the Jews first, and then to the other nations. (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15) Some of us Jesus calls to preach full time, such as pastors, missionaries, teachers and evangelists. (Ephesians 4:11 and 1 Timothy 3:1) But all who have been baptized Jesus calls to witness of His grace by their talk and deeds. (2 Cor. 5:15 and 1 Peter 2:9) Jesus has called you and He has given you a definite mission. Jesus wants you! Our Synod has 190 missionaries working in 26 countries.

Fourthly, Jesus needs workers who have equipment for His work. You know from your experience that a worker needs tools and skills so that he can do the employer's work.

Jesus equipped the twelve disciples for their mission. He gave them the "tool" they would need to do His work. What tool? The Good News of the Kingdom. (Matt. 10:7) It is the same message God has given to us, His workers today. "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all people." (Mark 16:15) Jesus has also given us two other tools: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Jesus has given us perfect, fine tools with which to do His mission!

Jesus also wants workers who have received His gifts and talents. You know that any worker needs skills and training for a certain job.

The 12 disciples had received various gifts and talents. Peter was a leader and strong preacher. His brother, Andrew, was a helper and server. Their various gifts joined together to do the mission Jesus had given to them. Jesus has also given us various gifts and talents so that we can cooperate with one another here at Pilgrim and do His work here. Through the Personal Renewal Bible Study we tried to discover our individual gifts and talents so that we could develop these more and use them in doing Jesus' work here. Jesus needs workers who share His compassion for the lost; workers who know that He has called them and know their mission; workers who have His tools and talents. You should be such a worker. Are you such a Kingdom worker?

Amen.