“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John4:35)
Here, Jesus is telling His disciples that there is a right time for everything—and the time to act is now. Imagine the fields, fully ripe, waiting for workers. Any farmer knows that when harvest arrives, waiting isn’t an option. There’s only a limited time to gather the crops once they are ready. In the same way, the spiritual harvest calls for our immediate attention.
This urgency is further emphasised in Matthew 9:37, where Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.” In other words, there are many people ready to receive God’s Word, yet only a few are willing to share the good news.
So, who are the labourers? They are believers who have accepted Jesus into their lives. And the harvest? People who are ready to know Him.
Think about it: if you discovered an amazing new restaurant or a life-changing product, you’d tell others, wouldn’t you? Salvation works in the same way—it’s meant to be shared. Yet many remain quiet, filling all their time with TV, social media, or the gym, and then wonder why they feel empty. True fulfilment comes from investing in the harvest.
John 4:36 reminds us, “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.”
There is real joy in both planting and harvesting. When someone shares the good news and another receives it, both rejoice. Every seed planted, every life touched, brings God’s joy to all involved.
Ask yourself: am I planting, reaping, or both? If you’re doing neither, you’re missing out on God’s plan. Planting may feel slow, and reaping can feel challenging—but both bring joy. Everyone has a part to play in this great harvest, and thankfully, we are not left to do it alone.
Through the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God dwelling within us, we are equipped and empowered to labour in the harvest. He provides courage when we feel uncertain, wisdom when we don’t know what to say, and the strength to make a real impact.
So, how can you begin?
Join us for ‘The Second Night of the Great Harvest’ at a Universal Church near you on Wednesday, 17th September, as we explore this topic further.
The fields are ready. The question is: are you ready to labour?
Event: The Second Night of the Great Harvest
Date and Time: Wednesday, 17th September at 7.30pm (also at 7am, 10am and 3pm)
Location: At your nearest Universal Church
