Tag: harvest
Jesus explains the Weeds!
Scripture reading for January 17: Matthew 13
“He answered, “The One Who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13:37-42
Jesus taught in parables. His parables were illustrations taken from every-day life in Israel that helped His disciples understand the kingdom of God. In this parable of the weeds, which followed the parable of the sower, Jesus sought to relate God the Father’s declaration of how the kingdom of God would be finally established on the earth. He used a common farming illustration of seeds sown in a field and weeds growing in opposition. In this passage Jesus explained the parable of the weeds in the field.
Jesus, Himself, was the sower of ‘good seed’, the sons of the kingdom. Those who believed His Word would be adopted as sons of the kingdom. In opposition, the devil would sow ‘bad’ seed, men and women who would remain sons of the evil one. The sons of the evil one would cause others to sin and break God’s laws. At a set time, God will reap the harvest using His Holy angels. They will first gather the wicked who are residing in the kingdom and throw them into the fiery furnace. It will be a place of eternal torment, weeping and gnashing of teeth. But the righteous will shine with the glory of the Father in His kingdom forever.
How does this story change your view of the world and the conflicts going on there? How does the parable of the weeds help you understand your spiritual state and destiny? What did Jesus reveal about the consequences of a life of law-breaking and causing others to sin?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for speaking to me in stories that help me to see myself and others in light of Your declared truth about the present spiritual conflict and its conclusion. Through Jesus Christ, I can be assured of a place in Your eternal kingdom and share in His glory! Amen.
The hour to reap has come!
Scripture reading for December 19th: Revelation 14, Psalm 102, Ecclesiastes 4
Revelation 14: 14-19 “Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud One like a Son of Man, with a golden crown on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand. And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to Him Who sat on the cloud, “Put in Your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” So He Who sat on the cloud swung His sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. And another angel came from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.”
There is an appointed time for everything under the sun! Solomon wrote this in Ecclesiastes 3:1 and John had the privilege of observing the end from the beginning as in heaven he was shown the vision of Jesus Christ, Son of Man, reaping the harvest of the earth. The wheat will be gathered into His barn, Father’s House, and given eternal life. The wicked will be gathered and thrown into the winepress of the wrath of God, His eternal hatred of sin and evil. The King of Kings will be enthroned forever and rule in righteousness and truth. He will show mercy to those who by faith have trusted in Jesus Christ but He will judge those still living for themselves. The Son of Man awaits the command to bring in the harvest!
Psalm 102:12-13 “But You, O Lord, are enthroned forever; You are remembered throughout all generations. You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ, Son of Man! Thank You for appointing the time for everything under the sun and for setting the boundaries of each life, even before the world began. Help me to be content in quiet rest in Jesus Christ. Use me today to share the Good News of the salvation offered through the Son of Man. May none perish in the winepress of God’s holy wrath at the harvest.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 “Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.”
The Lord of Harvest
Scripture reading for March 16th: Luke 10
Key Scriptures: Luke 10:1-3 “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to go. And He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”
Jesus was intent on His mission to reach the world of lost people. His plan was to multiply ministers who would in turn raise up others. He hand-picked the Twelve and now sent a total of 72 out with authority. He first instructed them to pray to the Lord of the harvest for laborers. The harvest was plentiful but few were available to work. As soon as they prayed, Jesus said to them “Go your way, behold I am sending you!” They would be sent out as lambs among wolves! They were to take nothing and go in faith. Whatever house they entered, they were to impart “peace”. If the people received the blessing and them, they were to stay and minister. If they were rejected, they were to leave, shaking the dust off and moving on.
Luke 10:17-18 “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your Name!” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. . .”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your amazing plan to reach the whole world with Your Gospel. Thank You for sending Your disciples to places where You are going too. Lord of the harvest, send out more laborers into the plentiful harvest! I offer myself to go as well, that the earth may yield its increase and God shall bless us!
Psalm 67:5-7 “Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You! The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him!”
How’s your harvest?
Scripture reading for September 28th: Jeremiah 1-4, Psalm 130, 2nd Corinthians 9
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 9:6-9 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Paul encouraged the Corinthians to give cheerfully and with purpose. He did not want to shame them or coerce them to give or to manipulate their hearts with human emotions. He did tell them spiritual truth: the law of sowing and reaping determines the harvest. For a sparing harvest, sow sparingly, but for a bountiful harvest, sow bountifully. God gives the increase and will make all grace abound to you in many areas of need in your life. The abounding harvest is more than money, but brings full sufficiency in all things at all times! Amen!
Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I hope; . . .”
Faith confession and prayer: God’s promises are true and bring encouragement and hope. I want an abundant harvest so I will sow generously and cheerfully trusting in Your Word of promised grace!
Jeremiah 1:11-12 “The Word of the Lord came to me saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see an almond branch.” Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My Word to perform it.””
The Fields are Ripe!
Scripture reading for April 10th: John 4, Psalm 72, Proverbs 10
Key Scriptures: John 4:34-38 “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”
Jesus had shared with a Samaritan woman that He was the Messiah. She was so excited that she ran into her village and told others about Jesus, inviting them to come meet Him. This was the ‘work’ that the Father had sent Jesus to do. He instructed His disciples as the people of the village were streaming to meet Him, “See that the fields are white for harvest.” Some sow, others reap, but rejoice that fruit is being gathered for eternal life!
Faith Confession: Lord, I see the fields ripe for harvest! Thank You for allowing me to participate in the sowing and reaping of this ‘fruit’ for eternal life. (Action Step: Share the Gospel with someone you know who may be lost but is open to listen.)
Psalm 72:16 “May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field.”
The Harvest of the Earth!
Scripture reading for December 19th: Revelation 14
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Revelation 14:14-16 “I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one “like a Son of Man,” with a crown of gold on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. The another angel came out of the Temple and called in a loud voice to Him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take Your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So He who was seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth and the earth was harvested.”
Revelation 14 ends with a description of two harvests. These Scriptures describe the first harvest and apparently Jesus Christ as the One with the sickle who is told by an angelic messenger to “reap”. With that command, the earth will be harvested! But this chapter continues with the description of another angel who also has a sickle and a companion in charge of the fire. This angel is commanded to reap the clusters of grapes from earth’s vine, which were ripe, and throw them into the wine-press of God’s wrath! The righteous are gathered to God and the wicked will go to judgment!
Observations for over-comers: There are only two possibilities for each person after life on earth is over: eternal life in God’s presence through Jesus Christ or eternal wrath in the Lake of Fire. “Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the wine-press is full and the vats overflow–so great is their wickedness!” (Joel 3:13)
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday November 2nd, 2014
Dear Friends of Jesus,
Harvest is nearly in and the season of Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Of course, for Christians, each day is a day of thanksgiving for the grace we receive from our relationship with our Lord Jesus! We enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! Gather with God’s people today and offer thanks to Jesus for His marvelous salvation! Remember His broken body and shed blood as we partake of Holy Communion. Never forget His love for you and me and His promise to return and take us to be with Him! Today could be that day!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary