Ask the Lord of the Harvest
Message from Rose
January 2025
In Jesus’ own words recorded in John 4:34-36: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.”
When Jesus used the words “my food” He was telling us that nothing, not one thing, is more important to him than fulfilling the mission that was given to Him by Almighty God. Not even actual food. Is there time for us to participate in the great harvest? Yes! In fact, I believe there is no time to waste. The time is now. The lyrics to “New Thing Coming” by Elevation Worship describes what so many of us are feeling right now; “I can see a cloud heavy with rain, and it looks like revival, it's headed our way”. I do believe we are on the brink of revival, and we are all needed to participate.
It’s interesting to read that Jesus referred to evangelizing in these days as Harvesting. The whole process of harvesting a crop – from beginning to end, is a perfect analogy of the process of harvesting souls. There are many things that must be done before a farmer can expect a harvest. First the soil must be prepared. Then comes the sowing – the scattering of seeds in the prepared soil. Next the seeds need to be nurtured by fertilization and irrigation. It is only after these things have been done that the farmer can expect a harvest.
I’m learning that I may not always be the one to harvest. Sometimes we are simply preparing someone to receive the seeds of Salvation. Someone else will plant the seeds. Another will come along to continue the nurturing of those seeds. Finally comes the Harvest, the season of gathering. Each one of us, at different times, and with various people should be playing a part in the process of the harvesting of souls. I love how Jesus said that the sower and the reaper both will be glad together! They all played a crucial part in bringing lost souls to the saving knowledge of Christ. No part in the process is less than or greater than the other. And all rejoice in the soul that receives salvation.
In Mathew 9:36-38 36 When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” When Jesus looked out at the vast gatherings he didn’t see numbers – he saw individuals. Souls who were lost without a shepherd. He saw hurting and lost people. And in seeing that, he was moved to compassion for them. We need to zero in on the hurt and lost, to have compassion for them by leading them to the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11) so they are no longer lost. And we pray. We pray for others to join us in the fields of souls.
For some reason I have always found it easy to share with others and eventually lead them to Christ. Lately, however, I have run in to some who have given me a run for my money! I felt discouraged at first, but in time I came to realize that in some instances I may be the one who prepares the soil – not reaps. And that is completely ok by me. Each part in the Great Commission is absolutely necessary. The harvest cannot happen without each of us playing our part. And the part we play will no doubt change with each encounter. I am determined to continue to go to battle spiritually for each soul I share with. I won’t give up. If you feel you can go no further with someone, walk away with confidence that the next worker in the process is on their way. Continue to pray for them and as Jesus commanded – pray for the harvesters. (“Look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest”) workers are needed and not for tomorrow, but for this very moment.
We are agents of Jesus who has entrusted us with the most awesome responsibility. This is our Great Commission. We go out with authorization from the Highest Command.
“There is revival right here and now. There is a fresh wind, and I can hear the sound. Something truly wonderful is happening” – Elevation Worship
