Jesus spoke at least twice about the harvest but He never explicitly defined it. In Luke chapter ten He said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (v. 2).1 Then He sent out His disciples.
Jesus instructed His followers how to reap the harvest by swinging the scythe of healing and the sickle of preaching: “Heal those in [the city] who are sick and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’” (v. 9). Miraculous cures effected by a few motley disciples constituted an encounter with God’s kingdom (v. 11). According to Matthew, Jesus added the authority to cast out unclean spirits. At their debriefing, the disciples were excited that “even the demons are subject to us in Your name” (Matt. 10:1; Luke 10:17).
So, laboring for the harvest means proclaiming and demonstrating a new and superior life. Under God’s rule, sickness (and the demonic forces that are sometimes behind it) retreats. Harvesting is about freeing captives from enemy influence and teaching them to live in the new kingdom.
On a visit to Samaria, Jesus pointed to the ripe harvest.2 The residents of Sycar in Samaria had left the city to investigate who had so impressed a woman on a routine water run. A community was beginning to explore the new kingdom. The King was gaining new subjects—His human harvest.
Would you pray now for the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest?
Will you harvest where He planted you?
The goal of Bible Maturity is to promote spiritual growth and faith in God. Please share these short Bible devotions with your friends and family and pray for revival.