John 4:35-38; Math. 9:35-38

Recurrent Thought

Of the truth the Rewards of being a Harvester outweighs all the pain and the cost of working in the field. However, the cost and the pain of the moment feels heavier especially, when the rewards are not properly defined (Heb. 12:2-3)

In the kingdom of God, every believer is called to be a harvester. The Lord Jesus Christ often compared the world to a field ready for reaping and His followers to laborers sent to gather the crop. Unfortunately, many believers just talk about the harvest, but few are willing to go into the fields. Jesus reminds us that those who do go, the faithful harvesters, will receive their reward, both now and in eternity. The work may be hard, the hours long, and the tears many, however, I want to remind us all that  God’s promise remains sure:

Psa 126:5  Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! 

Psa 126:6  He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.  (Psalm 126:6)

Three Thoughts about the Rewards of a Harvester

1. Rewards are a Recognition of the (Owner) Benefactor
   • John 4:35 — “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields.”
   • Before there can be a reward, there must be a response to the call.
   • The Promise of the Rewards defines the importance the Owner attaches to this work
   • The Lord himself gives the charge and describes the Harvest: He shows that the Fields Are Ready Jesus said, “They are white already to harvest.” The harvest is urgent and plentiful.
   • We must remember that He places a call of urgency on the task. A ripe field left unharvested soon spoils; likewise, souls perish when we delay.
   • The Laborers Are Few Matthew 9:37 “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.”
   • God is not looking for ability but availability. The smallest servant can make a great impact when surrendered.
   • The call is not to comfort, but to commitment. The boy with five loaves and two fishes when they were given to Jesus they became part of a miracle.
   • This Call is by the Master Himself (Math. 9:38) He calls, sends, and rewards.
   • Every believer must hear and answer that call  “Here am I, Lord; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
2. Rewards Assume Costly Responsibilities
   Indeed, the work of harvesting is a costly one. Psalm 126:5 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
   Every harvest comes with a price. No harvest comes without cost. Every Personal or kingdom harvest worth celebrating comes with a cost. Every fruitful field gets watered with sweat, tears, and prayer.
   Three Costs that are implied in this text
   • There is a Cost of Compassion
     • Jesus was “moved with compassion” when He saw the crowds (Matthew 9:36).
     • True ministry begins with a broken heart. We cannot reach the lost unless we first feel their lostness. We must see the people and see how broken: harassed, helpless and leaderless
     • A lot of believers fail to see the Harvest; the way the Lord sees them. They fail to generate the compassion of the Lord.
   • The Cost of Perseverance (Song: He will Understand and Say Well Done)
     • The work of the Harvesting is one that demands perseverance.
     • Paul said, “Be not weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)
     • Harvesting demands endurance. Many give up just before the fruit appears.
     • A farmer who stops watering his field before harvest loses the crop. Perseverance is the bridge between planting and reaping.
   • The Cost of Partnership
     • John 4:36  Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 
     • One cost of being a harvester is learning to work with others. Evangelism is teamwork some sow, others water, but God gives the increase (1 Cor.3. 3:7)
     • The Apostle Paul planted, Apollos watered, but only God made it grow.
3. The Owner (Benefactor) Describes the Rewards
   John 4:36  Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.”
   Those who work in God’s harvest never labor in vain. There is a reward — both present and eternal.
   • The Transformation of Others must bring Joy
     • There is no greater joy than seeing someone come to Christ.
     • Apostle John wrote in 3 John1: 4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
     • When the woman encountered Jesus at the well she went and called the village
     • Every soul saved is a testimony that our labor is not wasted.
     • The joy of the harvester begins when heaven rejoices.” Finding the Lost is Exciting
     • In all three parables of Luke 15, there is expressed Joy when the lost is found.
     • The first two parables reveal that there is Joy in heaven when one person comes to repentance. While the Parable of the Lost son, reveals the Father Rejoicing
     • Could it be we don’t understand the depth of the father’s love for us that we are never excited about new people coming to know him.
     • If the salvation of Souls brings Joy to heaven, why don’t we do all we can that many come to know our Father?
   • God Promises the Crown of Rejoicing
     • 1 Thessalonians 2:19  For what is our hope or joy or crown of Rejoicing before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 1Th 2:20  For you are our glory and joy
     • Soul winners will receive the “crown of rejoicing” This is the soul-winner’s crown when they meet those they led to Christ in heaven.
     • Imagine meeting in eternity the people you prayed for and discipled that is your crown!
   • God expects You to Rejoice with others, together
     • Both sowers and reapers share in the same celebration.
     • 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
     • Heaven’s joy is not individual — it’s communal. Every harvester rejoices together before the Lord of the harvest.
     • Those who work together will rejoice together.”
     • The joy of heaven is shared Joy. You tell others about the Found. Herein lies the power of sharing the testimonies of our found joy in the Lord

The Reality is that despite the description of the Rewards we still need Faith to live by

Faith is the Anchor: Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Heb. 11:1; 32-