“Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.” Isaiah 32:20
It was after Jesus’ speaking to the woman of Samaria concerning living water, that His disciples returned from the city with food for Him to eat. It was at this moment that Jesus them of a truth, a lesson, but more, an insight into the heart of this Great Shepherd. He said to them: “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” (Jn. 4:32) He went on to say, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” (4:34) That food, the will of God, had to do with reaching lost souls which were perishing. To the disciples who were honestly concerned about Jesus’ welfare, and the need to eat, came a revelation and conviction as seen in the heart of Christ. The Lord Jesus then spoke to them of timing and opportunity. His illustration to them concerned waiting “four months” until the harvest comes. But then he pointed their attention to “fields which ARE ALREADY WHITE for harvest!” (4:35) Christ’s perception was an eternal one, but one which would have its application and realization in the present moment, for He saw things the disciples did not see. He saw the very present need, and opportunity that the Father had given to Him, and to the disciples, not only to sow seed, the seed of the word of God, but to reap a harvest which had already been sown. The ministry was to spread the gospel to those who had never heard, but at the same time, to believe the Father for a present harvest. His call to the disciples was for them to realize that in this present moment they were to be sowing and reaping, for the opportunity in time and resources were very real, and great, in the present moment. Jesus concluded this picture for them with the following application: ” I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” (4:38)
In Isaiah’s book in the Old Testament, we find this principle so clearly applied when speaking of the blessedness of sowing the seed of the Word of Life “beside all waters.” We see this in the New Testament when on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit of God was poured out upon all flesh, when Jewish men from “every nation under heaven,” had come to Jerusalem to worship. Many were saved that day, in order that they would first know that the Gospel had come in power, not only to them, but to all who would truly believe in Christ. When the Spirit of God came that day in power, all who were in that upper room where they were assembled, both men and women began to declare the wondrous works of God. The Lord revealed that day that the message of the Gospel was for all who believed, for the blessing came upon all, both men and women, and all would prophesy, declaring God’s wondrous works. Soon afterwards, through the Apostle Peter, a Centurion soldier and his household, would receive the Spirit of Pentecost. In coming upon them, these who were not Jewish, but who received the Spirit of Pentecost, God revealed that the gospel in Christ was not only for the Jew, but for the entire world. Immediately, the unveiling of the need to share the glorious Gospel, the very power of God unto salvation, was revealed not only to the Jewish world, but to every tribe, tongue, and nation on the face of the earth. God had provided, by the outpouring of His Spirit on that day for the evangelization of the entire world, providing all that was needful in the risen Christ, so that many would come to a saving knowledge of the truth.
Christ’s words concerning sowing and reaping have never diminished in their importance from that day till this. Who will hear His voice, and respond to His call?
Dear Father, Strengthen us to follow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.