The Harvest is Come - Mark 4:29

Mark wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “the kingdom of God” is “as if a man should cast seed into the ground. And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear”, and in chapter four and verse twenty-nine of his book, Mark shares how Jesus declares when the “fruit is brought forth”, “he puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come” where we read:

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

The verse reads, “But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle, …” Mark began with the words, “but when” or “nevertheless, moreover and at the time and moment” “the fruit” which means “the work, act, deed, advantage, profit, utility and progeny” “is brought forth” which means “is delivered, committed and presented”, “immediately” or “straightway and forthwith” “he puts in the sickle” or “the man who sowed the seed sends out and sets forth the pruning hook or hooked vine knife such as reapers and vinedressers use”. Mark shared how Jesus said when the “fruit” is produced, the “sower” straightway brings out his “reaping knife”.

The verse continues, “... because the harvest is come.” Mark added the words, “because” or “since and on account that” “the harvest” which means “the reaping and gathering time” “is come” or “has arrived or appeared”. Mark shared how Jesus gave the reason for the sower bringing out his “reaping knife” was because the time for “gathering and reaping” was upon him.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how the “harvest” time has come, and the sower is now set to “reap” from his planting. God knows the earth is filled with people who “bear fruit” in His Kingdom, and He, like the reaping farmer, shall begin to “harvest” the “fruit” that is produced for Him. People who have yielded their lives to Jesus Christ not only have a relationship with God, but also begin to produce “fruit” in His Kingdom. The time of “harvest” is nearly here, and soon Jesus will be setting out to “reap” that which He has sown. Let all those who are reading these words be certain they are part of God's great “reaping” plan.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus asks, “whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".