“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."(NIV)

To the Jew sowing was a sad and laborious time; it was the harvester that experienced joy.   Jesus said this was a joy both shared in.  You not only weed and water, but the joy and gladness are seeing people respond by faith to Christ, even though not everyone is a harvester. 

Will you answer the call to be faithful to the task He gives and realize He rewards all faithful workers? All get their wages.  If we refuse, we miss the gladness, we miss the joy of seeing God at work in and through us.  We know that it is not our own wisdom, power and insight, but God in us doing the work. That is fulfilling.  It is fulfilling to see the power of the gospel at work. It is fulfilling to see others discover and grow in truth. It is fulfilling to see lives changed. It is fulfilling to realize that in our ordinary and common lives God is building His kingdom and we are part of it. `        

It was a good experience for me to be personally involved in the earliest stages of the planning for Ralph Bell Crusade to come into our community several years ago. He was an associate evangelist with Billy Graham. Joe Gillespie was the front man and organizer for the Ralph Bell team.  He spent countless hours writing, riding, delivering seminars, meeting with the people going over agenda items. When the time came for the crusade Joe was not feeling well.  He had a backlog of other work. He was preparing two other crusades in the future. He was tired after many nights on the road.  Since his work with us was done, I asked if he was going to stay for the meetings or go home. He looked at me like I was crazy.  “Man, Dale, this is what I’ve been working for, now I want to see the fruit.”           

So, every night but one Joe was there in the background seeing people come forward and making some significant decisions for Christ in their lives.  This is what we are working for.  Some are sowers and workers but seldom see the harvest. Others like Ralph Bell and Billy Graham are blessed of God to be the harvesters.  They reap by preaching the Word and seeing people respond.  They know that it is the work of the Holy Spirit using many other people even years before to do the sowing, watering, weeding and working. It must be the Lord working through willing and obedient followers. Are you ready to let Him use you for the harvest?          

Few of us feel as if we do it very well, but the only evangelist you’ll ever see is even a bad one who didn’t give up.

Application:  Keep working the field that God gives you. Pray for more workers for the harvest.

Prayer: Father God, we are so blessed to be on this side of the cross and resurrection. The harvest is ready. Father, show us where you want us to be working. Then empower us through your Holy Spirit to do what is needed. Prepare the hearts, amen

Dale