God’s Labor Day Calling
September 7 is the celebration of Labor Day in the United States, a federal holiday established in 1894. The holiday celebrates the labor movement and honors the contributions and achievements of American workers, recognizing that hard work and innovation are woven into the fabric of the USA.. Some commemorate the holiday with picnics, parades, and ceremonies. It is fitting to observe this holiday with gratefulness for the years of sacrifice of those who labor in various jobs and professions so we can continue to function as a country.
All believers, regardless of nationality or employment status, are called to serve our Messiah Jesus (and others!) as laborers in the spiritual harvest field. We are instructed to proclaim the gospel as the power of God for salvation, to the Jewish people first and also to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16). Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37–38).
This Labor Day (whenever it may be celebrated where you live), I’d like to challenge you to think beyond having “a day off” or a day when banks and businesses are closed. Instead, let it be a reminder to plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His ripening harvest field of souls.
Over the years as I have spoken to people about Romans 1:16 (where Paul proclaims the priority of the gospel, the power of God for salvation, to the Jew first), I have witnessed people become genuinely agitated. Some even quickly add something like, “Jesus came for everybody, not just Jewish people” or “They rejected Him and had their chance.”
Our call as followers of Jesus is not just to proclaim the gospel to the Jewish people; it is one where we must recognize that the gospel is especially for them. God chose them as a special people (see Deuteronomy 7:6ff). In Romans 9:4-5 Paul lists the spiritual blessings given to the Jewish people: “who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.” In turn, the gifts of God’s Word and His Son, our Savior, have been a blessing to the whole world!
Jewish believer, author, and ministry leader Mitch Glaser points out that if the gospel is still the power of God for salvation – and it is – then Romans 1:16’s priority is also still true: the gospel is “to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”[1]
With that biblical priority in mind, may Labor Day become a day for followers of the Jewish Messiah Jesus, to pray for the following:
Ask the Lord to send workers into the harvest for souls – both Jewish and Gentile.
Plead for the salvation of Israel as a nation and the Jewish people scattered throughout the world.
Ask God to strengthen Gentile believers in standing against the terrible plague of antisemitism.
Pray that believers in Jesus will proclaim to the church God’s enduring promises for Israel.
Rejoice in – and pray toward – the wonderful promise that one day, all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26)!
Ask the Lord to help believers bless Israel (Genesis 12:3) by supporting, praying for, and proclaiming the gospel to the Jewish people.
Pray the Jewish people will come to recognize, Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah.
If you are reading this (whether Jewish or not) and have questions regarding Jesus or your eternal destiny, please contact us today. We do not know what the next hour holds; eternity awaits, and how and where we will spend it is of utmost importance. At Life in Messiah, we pray for opportunities to share the good news of salvation through faith in the Son of God. Contact us to learn how your earthly labor can have eternal value as you live by faith and allow Him to work through you.
Written by Jeff, Life in Messiah Staff Member
How does Romans 1:16 shape the way you think about sharing the gospel with Jewish people?
What might it look like for you to become more intentional about praying for laborers to be sent into the harvest?
How might your everyday work or responsibilities become opportunities for eternal impact?
Endnotes:
[1] Mitch Glaser, “Celebrating 125 Years of Faithful Service!,” Dr. Mitch Glaser, January 1, 2019. https://drmitchglaser.com/2019/01/.