In the Beginning: The Book of John

(John 4:31-38[HCSB])

31 In the meantime the disciples kept urging Him, “Rabbi, eat something.”

32 But He said, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.”

33 The disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought Him something to eat?”

34 “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work,” Jesus told them. 35 “Don’t you say, ‘There are still four more months, then comes the harvest’? Listen to what I’m telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest.

36 The reaper is already receiving pay and gathering fruit for eternal life, so the sower and reaper can rejoice together.

37 For in this case the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap what you didn’t labor for; others have labored, and you have benefited from their labor.”

Sow, Reap and Sow again

This is probably the most basic life lesson we will ever learn: True to form Jesus keeps it real and practical. I have also investigated the implications of sowing and reaping, and what next steps we rarely explore. Yes, we reap what we sow; but it is also true that we sow again, and we reap again, as a natural result of our harvests. If we are not careful we are likely to sow the seeds of the previous harvest.

This is metaphorical and literal, spiritual and physical. The question will always be, “after sowing and reaping your personal harvest, how will you now sow? Will you sow the same seed or something different? Will you sow the same seed in a new place expecting a different crop, or will you sow seeds of a new variety … a harvest that honors God and feeds men?” There are so many choices, and just as many consequences. It is our ability to choose that makes a life worth living. If there were no compelling outcomes, and no significant challenges, would living really be worth it; would God be honored in it? Paul in Romans 5 says not.

In this manner the spiritual seeds we have planted grow and nourish in the same way the true food and living water of Jesus Christ satisfies. If we sow wisely there will be bountiful harvests to reap, and Jesus tells us that we will rejoice together in heaven. This answers a question that had remained unanswered for me: “will we know the impact of the seeds we have planted?” The answer is yes, but not necessarily in this lifetime.

In Christ we also reap what we did not sow. We harvest a crop that feeds the body, mind, soul and spirit even though we have sown seeds of thistles and thorns. We are given the bread that is our Lord’s body for sustenance, and given drink that is His blood to quench our thirst. We live because of Him buried and resurrected. We live because He lives, not because we planted anything wonderful to harvest..