Harvest #3: Lord of the Harvest

Concluding the series CELEBRATE THE HARVEST…

112022am-RBC LORD OF THE HARVEST John 4:34-38

We will celebrate Thanksgiving this week—A holiday designed so we could thank God for the harvest. This is the time of year to reap what has been sown and recognize that man plants, but God brings the harvest.

The goal of planting seeds is to grow fruit. In describing this work God sent Jesus to accomplish, Jesus mentions fields ready to harvest. He says that everyone knows the saying, “Four months between planting and harvest.” He is not referring to the actual time that transpires between the planting of seeds and the production of fruit. He is saying that some things can’t be hurried, and that patience is required. James 5:7 says, “… be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.”

Jesus moves from talking about the harvest to preparing the disciples to harvest people for the Kingdom: “… the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life.” As the Samaritans are streaming out of the village to see Him (v. 30) Jesus sees a ripe harvest ready to believe in Him. It is curious that Jesus says, “… the fields are already white for harvest.”

Join me as we conclude this series today.