In John 4, we see Jesus and his disciples walking near some grain fields. He pointed to the fields and said, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together” (John 4:35-36, ESV).
The disciples were perplexed. They saw that the plants were only half grown and thought, “Anyone with common sense can see these fields are nowhere near ready for harvest.” However, Jesus was talking about the harvest of souls for God’s kingdom.
The lesson of the harvest has a broader meaning for our lives. Jesus is telling us, “You don’t have to wait four months to overcome your sin or have a burning passion for me. I have made all those things available to you right now. It is impossible to you in your own strength and ability, but I am expediting all things, and there can be no excuses among those who follow me.”
I have a question for every student or young working person reading this. Do you say to yourself, “I’ll wait until I graduate before I stop drinking”? Maybe you say, “I’ll wait until I’m older to stop sleeping around and settle down in marriage.” Or “I just want to taste a little more of the world before I give my all to Jesus.”
Jesus’s lesson of the harvest fields declares to all who would follow him, “Now is the time.” This lesson of the harvest addresses every human excuse. There is no waiting in God’s kingdom. If you wait four months, the harvest will pass you by. Don’t let any excuse sidetrack you. In Christ’s kingdom, today is the day. Now is his time for his calling on you to be fulfilled.
I offer you a challenge. Write down your excuse on a piece of paper and read it for the last time. Crumple that paper, toss it into the trash and say, “I’m leaving that excuse behind me. I have no more excuses. Jesus says his harvest in my life is ripe right now.”