Explain Jesus' illustration, which reveals his perspective on the conditions he saw (Matthew 9:37). Based on that reality, tell what Jesus' disciples should do (Matthew 9:38). Are the conditions the same today, and does Jesus' command equally apply to Jesus' followers today?
Jesus' illustration in Matthew 9:37 reveals his perspective on the conditions he saw as being like a farmer who is harvesting a field. He saw that the field was ripe for harvest, meaning that there were many people who were ready to receive the gospel. Jesus' command to his disciples in Matthew 9:38 was to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the field.
The conditions today are similar in that there are still many people who are ready to receive the gospel. Therefore, Jesus' command to his disciples to pray for laborers to be sent out into the field still applies to Jesus' followers today. We should be praying for more laborers to be sent out into the field so that the gospel can be shared with those who are ready to receive it.