The Fields Are Ripe

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 NIV

Jesus gave the eleven remaining apostles this command before departing to sit at the right hand of the Father. It was not, and is not, his desire that we worship him in a vacuum. We are to continue to plant the seeds of the word at every opportunity, and often.

Peter, being one of the eleven remaining apostles said this:

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV

Peter encourages us to always be ready to share the “good news” and to be prepared to speak to others, anytime the opportunity presents itself, about the hope we have in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” John 4:31-38NIV

Does he want us to wait?  No. He intimates to the eleven remaining that the fruit is already ripe for picking. In other words, non believers need no more time to pass before hearing the gospel. Jesus referred to the gospel as “food.” That shows us how important it is to his body, the body of Christ, which is the church.

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:8-10 NIV

Paul wrote this shortly before his death, while imprisoned for the last time.  He continued to speak to the good news, right up until the very end. He was always prepared to share the gospel, his hope. This hope had him in chains, but he reminds us that our hope can never be chained. Isn’t this what our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus expects from all of us, to always be ready to share the “good news,” and to never put off sharing the truth, which is him?

The enemy will convince all who will listen that there is plenty of time; that all those in need of a relationship with Christ, in need of salvation, can wait, because he knows his own time is short!

That’s why Jesus shows us that the field is ready to harvest NOW!

Peace be with us all, and to Him be the glory forever.

Barnabas

Special thanks to Barnabas for this guest submission.