Laws of the Harvest

In our neck of the woods … it is harvest time. Dozens of tandem grain trucks are going from the fields to the port, bringing in the harvest. How do we know it is time to harvest? We ask the expert … the farmer. He is familiar with the crop and the rules of nature that control when it is time.

You know … there is another harvest that is ready.

Take a moment to turn to John 4:34 in your Bible and read the words of Jesus.

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

The Master Farmer is telling us that there is work to be done. So, let’s review some basic rules of the harvest:

1. If the crop is ready … it is time to harvest.
The old saying, “make hay while the sun shines” comes to mind. Now is not the time for preparation, for talking about the harvest, for studying about the harvest or for longing for past great harvests … now is time to DO it! We need to take the Farmer’s word … it is ready!

2. If you are not aiming to harvest … you will not harvest.
We don't accidentally harvest … we need to do it on purpose. The grain does not come to you ... you have to go GET IT! Don’t wait for someone to trip into your church to welcome them. Invite them in!

3. There is enough harvest for everyone.
You never hear a harvester say, “Well, this job is OK, but I wish there was more to do.” The best harvester is one who just loves to work.

And never us the excuse that no one asked you. Is it possible that you didn’t hear the KING OF THE UNIVERSE when He asked you?

Don’t wait for a professional trainer to come and teach you how to harvest. The best way to learn is to get out there and do it. A love for Jesus and the desire to serve Him is all the training you need to share His love for people and tell them that they too are loved by Jesus and by you.

And 4. A good harvest is worth celebrating.
Verse 36 … you just read it … states that the sower and the reaper will be glad together.
Listen to the words of Jesus, the Master Farmer, as He speaks in Luke 15:4-7,

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

What a thrill to lead someone to Christ. Don’t you want to share the joy?

And, lastly, don’t forget … Someone Harvested You!

Larry Abele – Editorial Team