“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” Jn 4:35
What is harvest?
What are the realities of harvest in our time?
What are the expectations of God of His church?
Two kinds of harvest
Naturally, there is a time for harvest Gen30:14; Ex 23:16; when we gather in our crops because they are mature Prov 6:8. You are not likely to sow and reap the same day. Time of harvest is set in our cyclical seasons Prov 26:1-but not a time of rain. Different crops have different times of harvest Jdg 15:1- wheat; Ruth 1:22- barley; but it is a time of joy and celebration Is 9:3. Something must be said also of the implement for harvest Jer 50:16; Mt 4:29, it is quite different from that employed during sowing and at any other time of the planting process. The barn and threshing floor must be prepared Jer 51:33; Mt 13:30 or the harvest will perish. Lastly, without harvesters, the fruits will perish. Hence the prayer request of the LORD to have labourers sent into the harvest Mt 9:37-38.
These are natural basic requirements in the planting process that lead to harvest, but it is somewhat true of spiritual harvest too. All that have been highlighted above have some spiritual significances but the main difference between natural harvest and spiritual harvest is this:
Harvest is a time of celebration
Lk15:7- the celebration in heaven over one soul that is saved highlights the point of spiritual harvest. Again the father whose prodigal son returned and a call for celebration made reinforces the point. Harvest is a time of celebration and much joy! May you share in the joy of the harvest of nations. Amen
Spiritual harvest, which first refers to the drawing of men and women into the Kingdom experience, that is, the process by which they become citizens of God’s Kingdom, is now… all around us. This is the main point of what Jesus Christ wanted His disciples to understand. Individuals may not be harvested, using familiar term- become born again, at the same time, but it is possible now and at any time as long as the world remains, and Jesus Christ has not returned.
In context, the woman of Samaria expressed the belief of many Jews and Samaritans when she said, … “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Jn 4:25. They all were looking forward to the coming of the Messiah for their salvation and the restoration of the Kingdom. This is the reason the disciples asked, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6-7. They were simply asking; will you now save Israel from her oppressors? They were expecting a physical kingdom like that of David. It was this same expectation that made the people shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, Hosanna in the highest!” Matt 21:9. Hosanna means save Lord. It was an expectation of the rule of God through the Messiah. That was what many Jews had their minds set on. But the LORD wanted them to know that the Messiah is here. Just like He said to the woman, “I who speak to you am He”, He wants us to know that Salvation is now possible and available to all men because the Messiah has come. The presence of the Messiah is the end of that search and expectation. Salvation is now Is 49:8; 2 Cor 6:2. Kingdom is now. Harvest is here!
Pentecost, set in harvest Lev 23:16-17- same as feast of weeks, was set between the feast of Passover Lev 23:5 and the feast of Trumpets Lev 23:23. It is the celebration of the harvest of first fruits and more harvest. The offering of two wave loaves with leaven is quite symbolic of the unity of the two nations in God’s Kingdom- Jews and Gentiles. The leaven representing the somewhat imperfection of the institution until it is purified at the coming of the LORD. The Jews were the first fruits not the only fruit- it was to them this salvation was announced and received but it was to extend to Gentiles also. The Holy Spirit, the other Comforter has come as the LORD of the Harvest. We are thus, from the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost- which witnessed the inclusion of many sons and daughters into the kingdom until now, in Harvest. This will continue until the LORD Jesus Christ returns in glory for the final harvest.
Summer is past…not saved
One of the reasons the fruits of harvest may have ripened and yet not harvested is if we do not know or observe it. Many times, fruits become ripe and may even fall and get rotten or eaten up by birds because we do not see. The seeing refers to ignorance, negligence, procrastination, lack of vision, not being intentional in seeking to understand what God is doing around etc. Can you see the harvest that is ripe all around? Can you see what God is doing to bring the nations to salvation? Have you observed the myriad of ‘strange’ faces all around? Does the church have a vision of what God is doing?
Therefore, Jesus said to those disciples, and He is saying to us, ‘Behold…’ Look! Lift up your eyes. As if to say, wake up, open your eyes, do not sleep in summer- Harvest is here. The Samaritan woman was ready for Harvest-indeed the whole Samaritan nation. The Jews despised Samaritans, but they were now ready to be saved. Prejudices or biases are some of the reasons we do not see what the Lord is doing. We have preferences about who should be saved and who should not, therefore, we miss the ripe fruits.
What is the reason for the church’s reluctance to get to work on the harvest? Jonah’s reluctance was due to his prejudice. He had ‘people blindness’ because hatred. What is the reason you are not passionately fired up to take the Gospel to those who are ready all around you?
Unless we set aside such attitudes we will not see clearly what God is doing around us.
Follow Christ
What are the lessons we can learn from Jesus’ interaction with the woman of Samaria in order to gain insight into his attitude toward souls harvest?
- Jesus was intentional vs 7
- He prioritized pleasing God vs 34
- He broke barriers- racial, gender, social, spiritual, misjudgment etc vs 8,9
- Jesus built bridges of mutual concern vs 7
- He was earnest and purposeful vs 32
- He was gracious and not judgmental vs 22
Strangers at your doorstep
In November 2012, I was on my way to Ibadan to commence processes that would lead to assuming ministry and office as Zonal Director of CAPRO Southwest. I found in the commercial bus I was travelling in a Missions Frontier magazine that focussed on how God was using migration ‘to assist’ the church in world evangelization but the church could not see it. I prepared a PowerPoint presentation titled ‘Strangers at your doorstep’ to address the situation as I saw its reality and relevance in the country, particularly in the Southwest. I had opportunity to share this with a number of Pastors and individuals. Today, that reality is in most of all our major cities and towns. Through insurgencies, banditry, kidnappings, insecurity, etc, unreached peoples especially have moved closer-not deliberately for this purpose- to locations where the Gospel could be accessed. This is God at work. The harvest is now here!
CAPRO diaspora ministry in the south and urban thrusts were born out of the same understanding and realization that God is moving people, especially unreached peoples, from everywhere to everywhere so they would have access to the Gospel of Christ. But for some of us, Satan has perverted that understanding as a threat to our commonwealth thereby weakening our hands. But God’s purpose has not changed and will prevail.
Workplaces or marketplaces are now occupied by diversities of peoples making those platforms the very centre for witnessing and discipleship engagements. But can you see it? Our neighbourhoods are also occupied by semi-skilled or low-skilled labourers like bikers (okada), gatemen, Mai ruwa (water fetchers) etc, most of whom have come to seek better economic opportunities. Are we interacting intentionally to draw them into the household of God?
A new barn for plentiful harvest
There are many barriers that may hinder the church from engaging and obtaining great harvest. Barriers of culture, language, social, religious etc are rife and could be intimidating but the task must be done. How must the church reposition herself to engage this new challenge?
- A vision of God’s dynamic work in our time
- Collaborations that will help achieve our set goals
- Intentional shift in church concept and practice
- Ephesians 4:11-12 must really kick in. The Saints must be thoroughly prepared for workplace/marketplace ministries.
- Tailored ministry trainings for Christians in the workplace
Conclusion
The harvest is here! Whether you know it or not, whether you are engaging or not. God is bringing the awareness and then the skills that may be necessary to perform our tasks more effectively. Will you overcome your reluctance or disobedience and join God in His work? God is counting on you because for this reason He left you here that you may be His light in this dark world. May you not fail in faithfulness. Amen.