Sowing and Reaping
“One soweth, and another reapeth.” [
John 4:37
.] The Saviour spoke
these words in anticipation of the ordination and sending forth of His
disciples. Throughout Judea, Christ had been sowing the seeds of
truth. Clearly and distinctly He had outlined the plan of salvation; for
the truth never languished on His lips. The earthly work of the great
Teacher was soon to close. The disciples were to follow after, reaping
where He had sown, that both the Sower and the reapers might rejoice
together.
Today in His great harvest-field God has need of sowers and of
reapers. Let those who go forth into the work, some to sow and some
to reap, remember that they are never to take to themselves the glory
for the success of their work. God’s appointed agencies have been
before them, preparing the way for the sowing of the seed and the
reaping of the harvest. “I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed
no labor,” Christ said; “other men labored, and ye are entered into their
labors.” [
John 4:38
.]
“He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eter-
nal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.”
[
John 4:36
.] Read these words carefully. Study their meaning; for
they outline God’s plan. Those who sow the seed, presenting before
large and small gatherings the testing truth for this time, at the cost
of much labor, may not always gather the harvest. Often the Lord’s
workers are bitterly opposed, and their work is hindered. They do their
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best; with earnest, painstaking effort they sow the good seed. But
the element of opposition becomes fiercer and fiercer. Some of the
hearers may be convinced of the truth, but they are intimidated by the
opposition shown, and they have not the courage to acknowledge their
convictions.
The lives of the workers may be endangered by those who are
controlled by Satan. It is then their privilege to follow the example
of their Master, and go to another place. “Ye shall not have gone
over the cities of Israel,” Christ said, “till the Son of man be come.”
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