As if to defy the desert lurking within reach, vineyards and orchards dot the low hills and plains around my new home. Summer baked the vines draped in rows and the fruit on the boughs, until bright colors flashed when I drove by fence made by trees as wind breaks. As each crop reached its peak, the usually quiet rows became busy with the gatherers who were prepared, watching, waiting. Parked cars lined the edges. Trucks waited beside empty crates stamped with the name of the owner. When it’s time to harvest, the farmer calls the gatherers to descend upon the field in obedient celebration of readiness.
When Jesus saw the crowds of needy people, he moved to meet their needs. He often met physical needs to plow the ground for spiritual seeds. He taught His disciples to consider immediate needs, (John 6:5) with an eternal perspective. He looked to mankind, but He ultimately looked to His Father. Even the Son of God purposed to please His Father in Heaven.
“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you.'”
(John 17:1)
When workers descend upon the field to gather in the harvest, they wear work clothes. Gloves. Long sleeved shirts. Boots. Long pants. Hats. They work long hours as a team, strategically distributing themselves across the orchard or vineyard so all of the fruit is harvested. Looking into the field to find the harvest means getting our hands dirty, doing the work of the Master to bring in what He has planted. Then we enjoy the fruit of the gathering.
Where does God want you to join Him in the harvest?
- In your own home?
- In your office?
- In your building?
- On your street?
- In your church?
- In you small group?
- In your Bible Study?
- In your play group?
- In your city?
- In your state?
- In your nation?
- In another country?
Jesus ran into the field to gather me in that I might, in turn, glorify our Father. I’m so grateful for the woman who saw my family in need one day and reached out to us. She put on her spiritual work clothes and got dirty in our stuff, and my parents began a new legacy because of the Jesus she showed us. An ordinary woman with a bold heart gathered us in. Only those whose hearts are bold with belief run after Jesus into the field for the harvest. (John 4:35)
When we see what Jesus sees, we want to go where He goes.
Dear Lord, cultivate compassion in our hearts over what we see. Give us courage to run in after You for the harvest!
