Harvest has always been an important time of year when hard work bears fruit of the labors. It is symbolic of bounty, health, and abundance. Throughout the Bible, harvest carries spiritual significance. It is the result of God’s work in the heart of man. It is his provisions and blessing for us. As with physical growth of a field, the spiritual growth of people is overseen by God himself. As Lord of the Harvest, Christ uses his disciples as workers of the harvest, gathering others by their faith in him. The words spoken by Jesus are still true today, “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37). Faithful followers of Christ are needed to pray for the lost, show God’s love, and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. The time for spiritual harvest is now, whenever, and wherever a lost person exists.

Read

Matthew 9:37-38, “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”

What does harvesting symbolize?

Spiritual harvest is a resurrection to eternal life in God’s kingdom.

Who is the harvest?

People are the harvest – lost souls to be saved by faith in Jesus Christ. John 4:35 “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

Who are the laborers?

Followers of Christ who faithfully share the gospel. Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Pray

Heavenly Father,

I pray the heart of your followers do not sit idly by but actively reach out, sharing the gospel, to those who are hurting and lost. Lord, as your Word says, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Open our eyes so that we may see those in need of hearing your Word. May we be constantly on our knees, calling out to you to raise up laborers for the advancement of the gospel to the ends of the earth. I pray you send us out to make a difference for your kingdom. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.