JOHN 4:35-38 HARVEST TIME

35 “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. 36 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. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 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.”

In backyard gardening, it is easy to lose interest between the planting of the seeds and the picking of the vegetables. Once the tiny plants have been properly thinned, the eager anticipation of fresh vegetables can be easily replaced by the routine drudgery of weeding and watering, and ultimately displaced by interest fatigue. When other things of life interfere, sometimes weed and drought win out. Many times thick weeds and busy schedules result in hidden fruit that becomes compost-in-place due to our lack of attention. But for those who are patiently attentive the reward is delicious.

The new age inaugurated by Jesus is the age of the harvest of the nations. All who came before Jesus were planters and cultivators. Throughout the history of Israel the prophets patiently weeded and fed the vine of the kingdom of God. Despite the neglect by the people of God the seed of the example of God’s work in the world was quietly falling on the nations. Jesus arrived in the world and the Magi rejoiced. Jesus saw the neglected fruit among the weeds and said that the harvest was ready.

The proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the instrument of harvest for the kingdom. The harvest is the transformation of worldly lives into kingdom lives. Do not neglect the fruit for the weeds of busyness, inattention, sloth and apparent unbelief. Share the faith that is within you with those around you and the harvest will make you glad. At the same time, always give thanks to those who sowed so that you might reap a kingdom harvest.

Lord, give me your eyes to see the work that the sowers have done and the fruit that is ready for me to reap. Keep me from living the Gospel for myself, but transform my thinking and attitude so that I might outwardly live the Gospel in witness to you and for the eternal salvation of my neighbors. Amen.