A PLENTIFUL HARVEST – MATTHEW 9:35-38
Jesus is enjoying a very productive time in his ministry. He is in his home territory of Galilee and the crowds are flocking to see and hear him. In Matthew’s eyes, Jesus is showing himself to be the Messiah by the powerful things he is doing. The crowds can’t get enough of this miracle-working, authoritative Rabbi.

THE HARVESTERS – MATTHEW 10:1-8
This passage doesn’t actually mention the words “harvest” or “crop.” So, what is it doing in this series on the harvest? Well, it’s important to understand that the original records of Jesus’ life had no chapters or verses. To help in reading and referencing the text, chapters were added in the 13th century and verses in the 16th century.

IT’S TIME FOR HARVEST – JOHN 4:31-38
In this Scripture, the disciples had just returned from buying food in town at Jesus’ request. While he waited for them by the well outside town, Jesus had a powerful spiritual conversation with a Samaritan woman. Her brief dialogue with Jesus left this lady rushing back to town convinced that Jesus was the Messiah.

DON’T BE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE HARVEST – MARK 4:1-8
The crowds listening to Jesus were now so big that they couldn’t all hear him as he preached on the beach. Jesus’ solution was to use a boat as his podium. That’s a first for me. I’ve never heard of anyone else speaking from a boat, but it worked for Jesus.

THE HARVEST WILL SURPRISE US – MARK 4:26-29
Mark leaves us in the dark on the meaning of this parable. Maybe the disciples never asked Jesus for an explanation. Biblical scholars have advocated many different possible interpretations, all of which reveal an aspect of truth about the harvest. Let’s explore a few of the options.

GOD’S FINAL HARVEST – MATTHEW 13:24-30
Fortunately, we have some help in understanding this parable because Jesus explains it to his disciples (Matt. 13:36-43). It’s important to note that the image of the harvest changes with this story. Instead of the harvest being a great reaping that draws many into God’s kingdom, in this parable, the harvest represents the final judgment at the end of the age (Matt. 13:39).

PASSION FOR THE HARVEST – ROMANS 1:11-17
I know this passage does not come from the gospels, but I had to add something about Paul’s great passion for and expectation of a harvest. Let me give some background first. Paul had been commissioned by God to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Rom. 11:13). It’s not that he avoided sharing the gospel with his Jewish brothers and sisters.