From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible speaks about the harvest in one aspect or another. God highly values the harvest of souls, and Jesus had a lot to say about it during his time on earth. Therefore, as Christians, we should also place great importance on the harvest of souls.
However, without the mind of Christ, as depicted in these scriptures (I Corinthians 2:16; Galatians 2:20), we will not be able to effectively gather the harvest. One event that shows the importance of the harvest is found in Matthew 9:36–38. It is clear that Jesus had great compassion for the multitudes of people who were hurting and in need of a shepherd. As Christians, we must also have this same compassion for those who are searching for answers and hope in their lives. We should pray for God to send out more laborers into his harvest and to give us the wisdom to recognize and reach those who are interested in learning more about him and accepting his salvation. Prayer is a vital component in gathering the harvest, and we should never underestimate its power. In Luke 10:1-2, we see Jesus appointing and sending out seventy followers to minister to the people.
This shows the importance of reproducing ourselves as leaders by casting a vision for ministry and training others to carry it out. It is impossible for one person to do all of the work in the harvest, and therefore we must train and empower others to join in the effort. Jesus also teaches us to humble ourselves and serve others, as he did, in order to effectively gather the harvest. In John 4:36–38, we see Jesus teaching his disciples about the ripe harvest in the city of Samaria. He urges them to lift up their eyes and see the potential for a great harvest among the Samaritans. This event also shows the power of a transformed life in a person’s testimony. The woman at the well shared her story, and many Samaritans were led to Christ as a result. This event also teaches us to prioritize spiritual food over physical food, meaning that our top priority should be doing the will of God and bringing others into his kingdom.
Lastly, in Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43, Jesus teaches us an important lesson about the harvest through the parable of the wheat and tares. This parable demonstrates the need for us to remain committed to our goals and resist the enemy’s attempts to impede our progress. It also teaches us not to judge or pluck out the tares prematurely, as it may harm the wheat in the process. God will handle the final judgment and harvest in due time. In conclusion, the harvest of souls is of utmost importance to God and should also be to us as Christians. We must follow the examples and teachings of Jesus in order to effectively gather the harvest. This entails showing empathy for others, educating and empowering others, putting spiritual food before physical food, and refusing to let the enemy’s schemes derail or discourage you. By putting these principles into practice, we can be sure that the final harvest will belong to our God.
