“I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors” (John 4:38).
There are sowers and there are reapers. Preliminary work and preparation is often done by those who never get to see the result of their labors. Those who do the planting have to believe that their contribution is going to terminate in a good harvest, whether they get to experience the joy of gathering that harvest or not.
Here, however, the emphasis is reversed. The Lord Jesus tells His disciples that they are going to reap a harvest planted by someone who preceded them. He could be referring to Old Testament workers, to John the forerunner, or to Himself.
Our Lord is saying to His disciples: “I am sending you in to reap a harvest. Others ahead of you have done all the preliminary preparation. The groundwork has been taken care of. All you have to do is reap the benefits of their labor.”
Prophetically speaking, this verse could apply to you and me. Nearly two thousand years of planting, sowing, irrigating, weeding, hoeing, and cultivating have gone into the Gospel ministry. It is now harvest time, time to reap all the benefits and blessing that go with the worldwide harvest of souls for the kingdom.
The early evangelists, intercessors, and soul winners have done their part. Now it’s our turn. Our part is to enter their labors and gather in the harvest they have made possible. The fields are white unto harvest. The time is now!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.