John 4:34-38New King James Version (NKJV)
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”
Many say the Bible is no longer relevant. The stories don’t make sense in today’s world. Today’s passage is an example where Jesus talks about the harvest and few of us are farmers. So what is Jesus talking about when He says the fields….”are already white for harvest”?
The harvest is the gathering of souls into faith in Christ. The time is now. Our world is full of people who live without hope. They see nothing but darkness and despair. The outlook is bad for them. But as Zig Ziglar used to say, “when the outlook is bad, try the up-look. It is always better!” It goes on to talk about sowing and reaping. What do you sow in your daily life? Do you sow (plants seeds) of encouragement? Do you sow joy? Do you sow peace? And what is the confusion about the sower and reaper and who gets what? Just because you plant a seed of encouragement into someone does not mean you will reap the benefit. Encouraging a stranger will not benefit you directly but it will improve the world.
There is the concept of unintended consequences. Many times, actions we take (sowing) bring results or consequences we would not have chosen. For example, God tells us He hates divorce. In a divorce, two adults come to an impasse and can no longer continue their lives together. A seed of discord has just been sown. It is their intention to go their separate ways. But what happens? Those who were once supportive become adversaries. Love turns to hate. Relationships are broken. Friends are forced to take sides. If there are children, their loyalties are stretched. Respect turns to rudeness and competition. It sets up an atmosphere that is caustic. And it affects that family for generations. Both my brother and I have been in marriages for 40 years. Do you think that has anything to do with our parent’s example of 58 years of marriage until my Dad’s death?
So what about the harvest? Are you reaping what you sow? Do you want a better world? Are you sowing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22, Fruits of the Spirit)? You may not be a farmer but you can sow good seeds! Are you intentional in your actions? Do you weigh the consequences both intentional and unintentional? What are you sowing?
Our world is a dark place. It is time for us to shine our lights. You have the power to change the world in the words you use. Will you sow light or darkness? Or maybe, you will reap the seeds of light someone else has sown. Is there someone you know who needs a relationship of unconditional love; a relationship with Jesus? Are you receiving wages for eternal life? Revival begins with you! Will you begin the Harvest? Are you prepared? Do you need help?
Father, lead us to the person to whom You wish to speak today and give us the words they need to hear. Help us to plant joy, peace and goodness in Your vineyard. May we bring You glory in the way we live today. In Your name we pray!