The Future Harvest

All farmers have one thing in common regardless what they are growing. That common thing is the future harvest of their crops. A row crop farmer works diligently preparing his field the best he can. He sprays, disks, and rows prior to planting season, he plants the best variety of seed for the area his farm is in, and he applies different chemicals to enhance the growth of his crop. He does all of this work with the future harvest of a successful crop in mind. A cattle farmer works attentively with his herd to give them the best care he can. He provides good grazing ground by taking care of his pasture, he provides them with hay and other supplemental feed when it is required, and provides medical assistance when needed. He does all of this work with the future harvest, a good sale, in mind. Even a deer hunter or manager works thoroughly on his property to maintain a healthy population. He plants food plots both during the spring and fall, he manages the native habitat properly, shoots the necessary number of does each year, and passes up lots of good looking young bucks. He does all of this work with the future harvest of a trophy buck in mind.

Matthew 13:24-30 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Obviously there is a lot going on in this parable. The truth I would like to focus on for this week’s lesson is the future harvest of this farmer’s wheat crop. In this story we see the field owner himself planting his own field. According to our text this land owner had many servants and normally it would be their job to do the planting. However, in this parable it was the land owner who adorned himself with a sower’s bag and planted his own field. He wanted to make sure his field was planted properly. This land owner not only planted his own field, but he also picked out the best seed to plant. The two types of grain that was used primarily during Bible days were wheat and barley. Wheat was the most valuable and it was wheat that was planted in his field. Also this farmer used the good seed. This meant he used the very best seed he could find to ensure good germination. Lastly, we see the harvest of the farmer’s crop. His precious stalks of wheat were carefully removed from the field and placed in his barn.

What a beautiful picture of our Lord that is seen here in this story! Ever since the beginning of time for us, and even beyond that in the mind of God, the future harvest has been the focus of our Lord. He has been working diligently in the fertile hearts of people all over the world and will continue to do so until the harvest. The significance of the field owner planting his own field is this: Jesus and only Jesus can save a lost soul. It was Jesus who adorned a crown of thorns and a cross on Calvary’s hill to save us from our sins. He is the only one that can make us a child of the kingdom. If you are part of His kingdom consider yourself blessed because the Lord sees you as valuable. As Christians today we are not only part of the harvest, but we are to influence the harvest for the good and glory of God’s kingdom. I cannot tell you when this harvest will take place, but I can tell you it is going to happen. What a blessed day that will be when the Lord makes a call to His reapers and we are taken away into His barn, heaven!

Can you call yourself a child of God or part of His kingdom today? Would you like to be part of the harvest that is taken to heaven? Call upon the name of Jesus. He is the only One that can help you. If you are a kingdom heir today, serve the Lord with gladness and do all you can do to promote the future harvest of our Lord.

What a comforting picture of the precision care (past, present, and future) that our Lord has for His Children!

God Bless and Happy Hunting.

Posted by Mark Newell