Time to Reap

MORNING

Read John 4:35-38

Devotion

There evidently was a well-known proverb in Jesus’ day that said, “It’s still four months until the harvest” (4:35). This saying meant, “Don’t try to rush the harvest. You have plenty of time.” That makes a lot of sense. I’m no farmer, but I know that you must give crops space to ripen well before they are harvested. You must get your timing right. Similarly, in life, we need to be careful not to rush things. There is time for everything.

It was still early in Jesus’ ministry and probably he was being urged to take His time. There was no rush to build His kingdom. He was only 30 (young for a Rabbi) and seemed to have time on His side. Anyway, they were in Samaritan territory, and you couldn’t expect a Kingdom harvest among heretics. This reasoning sounded wise, but those quoting the proverb had their timing completely wrong. It was harvest time. The crops were ready and the reapers had much work to do. The harvest was ripe. Jesus knew that He was in the middle of a reaping season.

But is this true of your context? I suspect that it is, but you probably need to pray that through yourself. However, I can guarantee that there is some crop to be harvested around you. As the brokenness of our world becomes more apparent, people are desperate for truth and life. Open your eyes and look. There are not-yet Christians whom God and others have sown into and who are now ready to explore and enter belief in Jesus. I’m sure there is still lots of sowing for you to do, but you wouldn’t want to be sowing when you should be reaping. As Jesus said, “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (4:35).

Prayer

Thanks for the opportunities I have to sow You, Jesus, into the lives of people around me by my lifestyle, actions and words. May I be faithful in sowing. But please open my eyes to those who are ready to explore and encounter You. Please give me the courage to be a reaper as well as a sower. May You use me to help someone join Your forever kingdom. Grow my boldness as I witness to You and Your grace.

Today’s Bible Focus

“Look at the fields - they are ripe for harvest!”

LUNCHTIME (or when you can make a moment during the day)

1. Meditate for a short time on today’s Bible Focus. Let it seep into your heart.

2. Look and see what is happening around you from God’s perspective and listen to see whether God is whispering anything to you.

3. Pray for any not-yet Christians God has placed on your heart.

EVENING

1. Remember: Repeat today’s Bible Focus.

2. Reflect: Reflect on the day and thank God for what He has said and done.

3. Repent: Check where you have neglected or disobeyed God during the day and ask for forgiveness and freedom.

4. Release: Name any concerns or fears on your mind and release them to Jesus.