It was late when she left; she had come that day empty. During her conversation with a Man she would never forget, she was challenged, converted and changed, and then returned to her city. As she entered the city, she began to tell everyone who would listen about Him and what He had told her. The result was that they left the city to see for themselves. And as the Lord Jesus looked at them, He proclaimed to His disciples that the fields were already white to harvest.
Israel is an agricultural nation, so the disciples of Christ were familiar with the concept of harvest. We recognize that not all the physical concepts associated with their land have a spiritual counterpart for us. The land belonged to the Lord, and the nation depended on the Lord for His blessing on the harvest, particularly in sending rain to water the crops, as the country has minimal means of irrigation. The early rain fell when they were sowing in October and November; the latter rain was promised in late March into early April. The Lord specified that His blessing was conditional on their obedience because they were God’s covenant people.
The harvest we are dealing with today is a spiritual one. We have no covenant obligations to fulfill as Israel did in the past regarding the Promised Land. However, we have similar obligations regarding our faithfulness and responsibility in handling eternal matters regarding the salvation of the lost. Every resource has been made available to enable us to sow and reap in the appointed season. We have been given the seed; the Lord Jesus explained that the seed is God’s Word, particularly the word of the kingdom (Mat 13:19). The significant deposit of the Holy Spirit was given on the Day of Pentecost; in this era, one of His functions is conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment. We have the action of the Lord Jesus, sending gifted men into the harvest field to reach those who are lost. In light of this, we should expect a significant harvest.
Perhaps it goes almost without saying, but any prospective harvest depends on what has been sown. Future harvest depends on faithful sowing and attentive care to that which has been planted. Every one of us has reaped much more than we have ever sown; many of us have reaped what others sowed. With unsaved souls before us, there are several important considerations for us.
We will reap the same kind that we sow; this brings us back to the importance of God’s Word. Those who speak publicly among us and those engaged in gospel outreach use multifaceted approaches as we deliver our messages. Illustrations, stories and various other means will engage the audience, helping them to listen and understand the message. However, there is no substitute for God’s Word in our preaching. Our messages should be based on, filled with and abounding with the living power of the Scriptures (Heb 4:12-13). As we sow God’s Word, He has promised to bless it in its latent power.
We never reap in the same season that we sow. One of the most disconcerting things that itinerant preachers face is moving into localities and frequently not seeing blessing in gospel work. This law of the harvest should encourage us; sowing is needed, and work and effort are required. As in the natural realm, so also in the spiritual; God expects that we will labour. However, He cautions that patience is also needed before seeing the desired harvest (Jas 5:7).
We are assured that we will reap much more than we sow. One of the essential aspects of sowing and reaping is the expectation of a bountiful harvest. The good ground that received the seed brought forth fruit, from one hundred to thirtyfold (Mat 13:23). The smallest yield expected was thirty times what was sown. This should encourage us when it comes to our labour and work. We should never be economical about what we sow; the Scripture would encourage us to sow the seed liberally: if we sow sparingly, we will reap sparingly; if bountifully, we will reap bountifully (2Co 9:6). Our responsibility regarding the harvest is to make sure that we sow beside all waters in the appropriate time. Paul was convinced of this and encouraged Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season” (2Ti 4:2 KJV).
The harvest does not depend solely on us; however, there is the essential part that we need to do. “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth …. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good” (Ecc 11:1-6 KJV). The Lord established the law of sowing and reaping; this is unchangeable and inviolable. It is true in every aspect of life and human existence, especially in spiritual things concerning the eternal well-being of souls.
The harvest is in danger. We are challenged when we consider the generations that have preceded us. They were not as well-educated or erudite as we are. They faced financial challenges that most of us do not face, and many didn’t have the amenities or comforts we enjoy. However, they could reach neighbours and friends, present the gospel personally, engage people at work, bring neighbours to gospel meetings, and see many saved. This remains a personal challenge to the author: the danger of souls perishing is the danger of the harvest. Our very existence in assembly testimony depends on our vision for the harvest. While the challenges are many, thankfully, the fields are still white, and we have the same invitation as the lady from Sychar. There is a Man who can meet the needs of our loved ones as He met her needs. Is not this the Christ?
