Musing – How to Have an Abundant Harvest?

Hebraic Musing – How to Have an Abundant Harvest?

The bible mentions “Harvest” 87 times and Jesus challenges us to be looking for the harvest.  Jesus was a carpenter by trade, so why did He talk about harvesting so often?  He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matt.9:37 NIV  And Jesus made a memorable statement in John 4:35  “…I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”    Why is this important in today’s times?  We are in days of upheaval and confusion; people are losing purpose and direction as they get caught up in ungodly activities lacking morality.  Jesus wants us to be harvesters!  And the fields, the world, is ripe for harvest.  So, how do we get an abundant harvest? 

What has to take place before the farmer can start harvesting?

·         Preparation of the soil – Living a righteous life is our testimony to the lost.  As Jesus said “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:15

·         Planting – The parable of the sower comes to mind – “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  He who has ears, let him hear. ”  Matt.13:3-9   Ever notice that just because some seed fell on the path, or the rocks, or shallow soil, or among thorns, that did not discourage the sower; he just kept on sowing.

·         Growing –  Paul understood the harvesting cycle. “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Cor. 3:6-7   Note that God is counting on us to prepare the ground and plant the seeds and continue ministering.

·         Tending – In OT times the farmer would sleep in the fields to keep birds, varmints and thieves away, especially when the harvest is getting close.  Does this mean we are to be in the world (but not of it) in order to tend to the recipients of the seeds?   But ministering and tending to a flock or a garden is hard work!  Paul knew that and reminded us - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Gal.6:9       We find ourselves living amongst the unsaved.  Saints and Sinners, saved and unsaved, living and worshipping side by side.  Yet Jesus says “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up (the weeds)?  No, he answered, because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn. ” Matt. 13:28-30  
In other words, let’s not be too quick to judge those around us.  That’s God’s job.

·         Harvesting (the goal) – Spiritually speaking, we are looking for a fruitful harvest in the form of New Creations.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Cor.5:17    “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors…” 2 Cor.5:20  We are living in a foreign land as His representatives!

·         Follow Up/Discipling – We need to follow up in the care of “the crop”; however we have good news.  Jesus promised us help – “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.”  John 16:13-14

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

To avoid coming off as “Holier than Thou” since we too sin, let’s remember…
we are like a beggar telling another beggar where to get something to eat.

♫ Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,….♫   

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      March 3, 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by Pastor Tom Hatley’s February 9, 2020 message – “The Growing Season”