A Great Harvest

And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest. Luke 8:15 (NLT)

A successful harvest was a time for celebration. Farming is hard work, especially so before the days of air-conditioned cultivation and harvesting machines. Farming is also a risky proposition. There is no guarantee of results. Pestilence, too little rain, or even too much rain can prove disastrous.

It is no wonder then that in ancient Israel, three major feasts corresponded to three harvest seasons. The feast of the Passover was in April at the time of the barley harvest. Seven weeks later was the feast of Pentecost at the time of the wheat harvest. Finally, the feast of Tabernacles was celebrated during the fruit harvest.

Jesus used farming as a model to show us how people come into the kingdom. It begins with “Preparing the Ground” in anticipation of “Sowing the Seed.” For life to come forth “We Need the Living Water.” We then wait in hopeful anticipation that there will be a harvest.

As we contemplate the harvest as it relates to revival, here are three thoughts for your consideration.

A Different Perspective

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.” Leviticus 19:9 (NIV)

The Levitical law provided explicit instruction to those who were harvesting the crops. They were told to be somewhat inefficient so that there would be something left for the poor people to glean for their subsistence. A different perspective is to see the harvest not literally, but as people in need of salvation. Is there still a need for gleaning, and if so, what does it look like?

There will always be those on the edges of life and society who will not be reached by conventional preaching or methods. Gleaning to bring souls into the kingdom will often be unnoticed and unappreciated. It requires the heart of a shepherd who is willing to leave the 99 behind to go in search of the one.

This kind of dedication reminds us of Jesus’ words: “So the master told him, ‘All right. Go out again, and this time bring them all back with you. Persuade the beggars on the streets, the outcasts, even the homeless. Urgently insist that they come in and enjoy the feast so that my house will be full.’ Luke 14:23 (TPT)

The harvest is not just about what is easy or efficient to gather. It is about having the heart of the Father who is: “…is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

Against “the Odds”

In the parable of the sower, the desired outcome is for seed to fall on the good soil and grow and reproduce a hundredfold. There is not much optimism for the seed that falls on the path, on the rocky ground, or among the weeds. And yet, both naturally and spiritually, we have seen survival that went against “the odds.”

We have seen flowers sprout, and bloom in cracks in the sidewalk or other improbable places. We have seen people who seemingly had everything against them. Some have faced unenviable conditions and yet blossomed as glorious examples of the grace of God.

Sometimes these miracles seem to occur without any external assistance, but often survival (salvation) occurs because someone was moved with compassion and took the time to cultivate and nurture someone who had given up on as hopeless. Who do we know that have been written off by others?

Fully Mature

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28 (NIV)

Our final thought regarding the harvest presents us with a dichotomy. It said that when there is a significant response to an invitation or altar call, that a great harvest took place for the kingdom. But what kind of farmer harvests “seedlings” and then considers his work to be done? It would be considered folly and yet when it comes to people being saved, we have no problem calling it a harvest.

When Jesus sends us out into the field, it is not about cutting down the crop and declaring “mission accomplished.” Instead, we are called to make disciples. We are called to teach and preach and to build one another up.

Our task is not about cutting and bundling the crop of new believers in the field as much as it is to prepare them to be fully mature and present them to Christ. “…God’s goal is for us to become mature adults—to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13 (CEB)

The Harvest

For a farmer, a successful harvest is a reward for hard work and diligence. It is a time of celebration and relief. However, the job is not done when the barns are full. If grain, fruits, or vegetables is only gathered together to be stored away, it will not serve its purpose. A portion may be saved to be planted in the next season, but the remainder provides life-sustaining nutrition.

While the harvest represents the culmination of a season, the wise farmer is already preparing for the next season.

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:38 (NIV)

Steve Ekeroth