The Focus of the Harvest
In Luke chapter 10 he records Jesus appointing and sending 70 disciples out to the cities where He would come. His instructions, and summary when they return, can help us have a good perspective on evangelism.
He begins saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." He says this, and yet He sends them right out. They "go" rather than just pray.
When they return they report, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." Jesus' response concludes with "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."
I think this section is best understood in light of scriptural teaching that Salvation is entirely a work of God. When we participate in evangelism, we should recognize this, and see it as an opportunity to be amazed as we witness God's great work. If we focus on our going, we see ourselves in the spotlight. If we pray that God will send and control, He is in the spotlight.
Jesus' teaching is often very critical of the Pharisees obsession with earning rewards, and in the parable of the vineyard He corrects this, showing all workers receive the same - a generous Gift of the Lord. This seems consistent with His response to these "workers" - that they not rejoice over their successes, but in the Salvation that has already been granted, that their names were written. As we see later in Revelation, all our names are written there. That is our reward: His gracious gift.
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