One Event: Sowing and Reaping

Lesson #77

In the physical world in which we live there is a time lapse between sowing our fields and reaping the harvest. According to Amos, “the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when the plowman will catch up to the reaper and the one who stomps the grapes will overtake the planter” (Amos 9:13 NET). That time has come because Jesus said, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor” (John 4:35 – 38 NASB).

In the physical world there is a distinct time for sowing and reaping, but in the spiritual realm these events can occur at the same time. One can be sowing seeds as another reaps and the time between sowing and reaping may vary for different people. Because of Jesus, sowing and reaping has blended into a single event; as I sow I can rejoice because at the same time you are reaping from what someone else has sown. Together we labor at sowing and reaping; rejoicing over what God is doing.

Jesus adds more to the topic of the last lesson and this one when he said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18 – 20 ESV). Here is a command for us to obey and when we do we are sowing and reaping and by obeying we are being nourished. We are also “receiving wages and [are] gathering fruit for life eternal” (John 4:36). Consider the rejoicing and nourishment you are missing out on by not being obedient to the Great Commission. Think also of lost wages and missing fruit you won’t have to enjoy for eternity.

What a powerful example Jesus gives to us by his conversation with the woman at the well who then goes to the city and shares her experience with them and they who hear her come to hear more from Jesus. How active are you in this sowing reaping event? If you are not you should consider your loss based upon what we have learned here.

Prayer

Father, I pray for more divine appointments with people so as to be more effective in the sowing reaping event. The joy and nourishment I have experienced creates a thirst and a hunger for more. Father, I pray that I would be more like Jesus was in this example with the woman at the well in sharing my faith. I pray that my life would be to your honor and glory.