Harvest Time in Missions - Rev. E. Sunder Raj

God is the Lord of the harvest. Man works hard and waits for the fruits of his labor. But unless God blesses his effort with good rain and sunshine there will be no harvest. Even we ponder about the ongoing task of mission in calling and bringing God’s people together in saving the lost through the power of Jesus’ name; we are reminded of God’s promises to one man called Abraham, and that promise would be a blessing unto the Nations. Then the people called Israelites who were God’s chosen people. Through them in the fullness of time came the promised one the Messiah our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to complete the mission of God. Therefore, Jesus says “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish his work”. (John 4:34) Jesus could see the harvest of God and call the attention of His disciples.

Special Time: Harvest is a special time. It is a time to gather the fruits. It is a time to rejoice. “He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and the reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true that one sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour; others have labored, and you have entered into His vineyard through the ages.

But now is the harvest time. They who sowed are not here but we are here to gather the fruit so that they and we together may rejoice. It is a special privilege to reap the harvest. It is a God given harvest. Therefore, it is a special time in missions. We see greater response to the gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s spirit is working in the hearts of the people.

May God help us to see the harvest and guide is to reap the harvest of Him. Short Time: Harvest lasts for a short time. It is a time to work. It is a time to be busy not lazy. Jesus told His disciples” Do not say, there are yet four months, and then comes the harvest”. I tell you, lift up your eyes and see how the fields are already white for harvest John 4:38.May God open our eyes to see the harvest of God in India before it is too late. It is not enough to recognize the harvest.

We should get involved in the harvest. The Lord of the harvest himself is working. May he enable us to get involved in His harvest? We do not know how long the harvest will last. May be very soon the doors will be closed. Let us wake up and work for the Lord. Serious Time: Harvest means more work. More work demands more workers. Jesus said “The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send our labourers into his harvest” Luke 10:2 God is looking for more workers.

Are you available to God today? O not say tomorrow for today is God’s day of harvest, demands unity. We need to work together. It is time to forget our differences. It is time to break all the barriers and get united to accomplish God’s work so that they will work together, thus the mission will not be hindered. Let us work while it is day, for night cometh when no man can work.

Through history we see God’s mysterious hand at work in raising special people for very special tasks, at very specific time. Paul we know was one such individual whom God called and equipped to further causes of mission. The miracle continues even to this day and until the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you feel that mysterious power of God’s work in and around you? Are you willing to be that specific person for this very special time today? Ask God to reveal His plan for your life and to equip you and lead you to accomplish the great task of mission in our time.