This is about fear, suffering, and selfishness and the response that changes everything: compassion and love. The Chief Apostle explains how God sees human beings and what believers can do with this knowledge.
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few.’” This Bible passage from Matthew 9: 36–37 was the basis of a divine service in Hanover, Germany on 17 August 2025.
God knows every human being
“God sees the whole world and the situation throughout the world,” Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider said. “God sees poverty, He sees injustice. He sees the suffering and pain of many people.”
What’s more: “So many people nowadays are disoriented. They no longer know what is true and what is not. What is good and what is evil?” And finally: “He sees many people who have become godless, who now only serve idols. Let me mention just two: materialism and egoism. This becomes apparent when one is inconsiderate towards others.”
How God sees us
“How does Jesus Christ react when He sees all of this? He has compassion for people who are suffering and wants to deliver them from their misery,” the Chief Apostle explained. “Of course, He also sees the sinners. But He does not judge them, He does not accuse them. He does not condemn them but wants to save them.”
“Jesus Christ sees a harvest, that is, a field requiring work. He wants to bring people to God, back into His kingdom, into a new creation where suffering and evil no longer exist.” Much of the work has already been accomplished through His sacrifice, His resurrection, and the sending of the Holy Spirit. “But the work is to continue. And for this He needs co-workers,” the Chief Apostle said.
What believers see
“Let us share in the pain and suffering of our fellow human beings. And because we love them, we want them to be saved,” Chief Apostle Schneider emphasised. But what about sinners? “We see the cause. We see sin, the remoteness from God. And our first reaction should be: ‘I want to avoid sin so that people do not have to suffer more on account of me.’”
“There is a solution. The only solution for humanity is Jesus Christ. He can save them. He can lead them into the new creation.” Nevertheless: “I know, many people think this is ridiculous.” But: “This is not a dream but the plan of God. For God, this is already a reality. Let the mockers laugh. Who cares. Let us hold fast to this belief.”
What believers do
“And how do we respond to this?” the Chief Apostle asked. “Let us say to God, ‘If you are looking for workers, here I am. I want to help along and contribute to the welfare and salvation of human beings.’” And that means:
- “Let us first proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. And let us demonstrate through our lives and our behaviour that this is the way of God.”
- “Let us be kind and do good to others so that they can experience the presence and love of Jesus Christ through us.”
- “Let us become involved in the Church because this is where salvation is imparted.”
Important: “We are the workers, but Jesus is the master of the harvest. He decides who should work and how we should work. And He has decided that we must be reborn of water and the Spirit. We must receive Holy Communion worthily.”
What comes next
“The great harvest will take place in the kingdom of peace, when the gospel can be preached without any restrictions to all people, in this world and in the beyond,” Chief Apostle Schneider emphasised. “This is the last and great stage of God’s plan of redemption. That is our conviction.”
“When we pray for the return of Jesus Christ, we are expressing our love for our neighbour.” Because: “The coming of the Lord is associated with the kingdom of peace. And we want all human beings to finally be able to attain salvation.”
“There is somebody who knocks on your door just now,” Chief Apostle Helper Helge Mutschler said. “Someone who says to you, ‘You are able and capable of going to your fellow human beings and countering their fear with the love of God and their loneliness with your company.’ Somebody is knocking on the door of your heart. The harvest is so valuable. Go out and love the people.”
Photos: Jens Lange
