And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. – Matthew 9:35-38
The above is one of my favorite portions of scripture. Several lessons are contained therein, such as the condition of man, the compassion of Jesus Christ, and the seriousness of the work of the ministry. Perhaps my favorite lesson, one often overlooked, pertains to the size of God’s family.
In this text, Jesus identifies His subject as His “sheep” with the statement “as sheep having no shepherd.” In the Bible, the term sheep is used to describe God’s elect family. Those who are not elected to salvation are refereed to as “goats.” {For further reading see John 10, Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 23, Psalm 100, Isaiah 53:6}
This is a phenomenal statement concerning the size of the elect family of God. Notice that Jesus says the harvest (the sheep – His children) is greater than the labourers could ever reach and minister unto. What a statement!
Think about it. Present during this example were 12 men, ministers (one of whom would betray Christ). Jesus looks at the 12, looks back at the multitudes, and then exclaims to the 12 that their work is so great, there is no possible way that they can ever complete it!
Predestinarians are often accused of teaching a very narrow view of salvation. Quite the contrary! Unlike many of our Christian friends who believe only the evangelized can be saved, we believe there are too many elect people for the ministry to evangelize, yet all for whom Christ died will be in Heaven! Glory to the Lamb!
Our God is truly the Lord of Hosts, the Lord of Sabaoth (armies).