Are You Ready for A Harvest Party?

This time of year I often find myself thinking about a harvest party my church held each year. It was a big outreach event, offering parents and kids in the surrounding community a warm, safe place to come on Halloween. And come they did! People in the area quickly made it a family tradition; which often overflowed to upcoming holiday programs like our Christmas Eve service, where we could share with them the birth of Jesus. Some became regular attenders, and most important of all, soon accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior!

Everyone at church got involved with the harvest party. The youth “managed” the candy room where kids would go from bowl to bowl, filling up their buckets with goodies. Adults and seniors took turns running the carnival games and bouncy house. There was even a photo-op station with hay bales, pumpkins, and full-size scarecrows. Our pastor was the self-delegated operator of the cotton candy machine, where he would personally greet and chat with many people as he spun out colorful sugar on a stick.

I have very special memories of our harvest party and was deeply saddened when unfortunate changes took that event away. I remain hopeful though. Today our church is under exceptional leadership. Our youth group is rebuilding itself, as many families were negatively affected by the pandemic. We are a faithful and growing congregation. We have several outreach programs currently serving our community, and our children’s pastor has even begun reviving the harvest event! The greatest joy is that we continue to be a church where the seeking can meet Jesus and learn of His love and truth.

The word “outreach” reminds me of Jesus’ words in Luke 10, as He sends disciples ahead of Himself to prepare some towns for His soon arrival.

Luke 10:1-2a

… the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

Far more direct than a harvest party, but the same concept. Just as the disciples were to prepare the way for Jesus’ arrival, Christ’s church is called to do the same. Jesus’ return is imminent. If we discern the signs of the times, we can see that it is on the horizon. Whether He comes soon, or waits awhile longer, there is still much work to do. In today’s world, whether just outside our door or far away, the harvest is even more plentiful. It is obvious there are many lost, hurt, and scared people that need the forgiveness, grace and peace of the Lord that comes with accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. As workers, we need to tend this world’s crops and prepare them for the day of harvest. To understand how, let’s start with the very basics of what Jesus told His disciples.

First, come together as the body of Christ to lay the groundwork, to prepare hearts for Jesus (10:1). Jesus did not expect these disciples to go it alone, and He doesn’t expect us too, either. There are significant reasons Jesus formed the church, and one is to strengthen and encourage one another. Whether this results in a church outreach program, or the labor of an individual believer; the church serves as our spiritual family to build us up for God’s Kingdom work.

Next, Jesus gave the seventy-two not just the problem, but the solution. The problem was not enough workers. The solution, pray. “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (10:2b). Prayer is always the first step in anything we do as followers of Christ, whether at our church home or out in the fields of the world. We must not only start with prayer, but understand we are the answer to prayer.

Jesus told His disciples, “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves” (10:3). As you may have gathered from the emphasis, that word “go” is not a suggestion, it is a command. This is also our purpose as the church. It is the Great Commission (found in

Matthew 28:16-20). Jesus does not pull punches either. He tells all His disciples (then and now) exactly what they are walking into – there are people that may see followers of Christ as prey, and try to attack them.

Jesus then tells the seventy-two what to bring to be prepared – which is nothing! No bag for clothes and personal things, no purse for money; no extra sandals, as theirs would surely wear down! He also tells them not to talk to anyone on the road (10:4). This may seem harsh… and rude, but Jesus wanted them to depend fully on the Holy Spirit. We too should approach others by the power of the Holy Spirit; not in fear and defensiveness, but in trust and peace – like little lambs (10:3). He also wants us to be focused on the task at hand; not getting caught up in the hype of debating social and political matters, but fully understanding the spiritual state of the world we are sent to reach. This does not mean we must always be somber and serious; however we should not take His commission lightly, or approach others fool-heartedly. Being extremely one way or the other, hurts not only our relationship with God, but the world’s perception of Him.

Just like the disciples, the first thing we are to do when approaching another is to humbly offer God’s peace (10:5-6). Approaching someone defensively, or with a supreme attitude will only push them away – creating a stumbling block (Matthew 16:23).

The disciples were to remain with those who were open to hearing their message, appreciatively accepting what they may offer even if it was not the finest (10:7-9). The same must apply to us. We are not to seek just the rich and powerful; nor are we to concentrate only on the many, but instead never underestimate the one. It is never about what people can offer us, but what we have to offer them – the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Just as there were people, and even whole towns that rejected Jesus’ disciples (10:10-12), there will be those who reject what we desire to share. What are we to do? The disciples may have been told to shout out a warning, but their listeners shared a familiar history; and Jesus, in the flesh, would soon be arriving. For us today, we are specifically told not to judge or call down curses. Engaging in arguments only burns bridges and builds walls. Show genuine concern (speak truth in love), and walk away with the promise to return if asked. We never know just how much of what we say has touched a heart. Whether a seed was planted or a soft-spot made, the rest is up to the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who will follow up behind us, just as He goes before us, and is present with us. The results are not up to us (10:16), we are only responsible for obeying Christ’s command to “go.”

These passages end with the disciples return and another piece of wisdom from Jesus.

Luke 10:17-20

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Believer’s names are written in Heaven; secure in Christ! What a tremendous truth! This is the blessing we are meant to share! Eternal lives are at stake. Which is why Jesus bestowed upon us, His church, the same authority to overcome the enemy. We are God’s ambassadors, with the power of the Holy Spirit to do anything we are asked to do in the name of Jesus. Does this mean we will not have trouble in this world? No. In fact, Jesus told us just the opposite (John 16:33b).

We are not guaranteed physical results in this world, because our work is not for the physical life. We are fighting a spiritual battle, against a spiritual enemy, with spiritual armor, and spiritual authority (Ephesians 6:10-13); but this does not make it less real. One day we will see for ourselves just how very real it is! If our battle is spiritual, then our protection is spiritual. No matter how many “physical” attacks Satan uses – which is His specialty – if we fight back spiritually, we will always have the victory!

This is not always easy. Jesus never said it would be. He did say it would be worth it. He bet His life on it – and He was right! He asks us to do the same. We may or may not face persecution to the depth of Jesus and His original disciples, but we are asked to spend our lives sharing His victory with others.

Jesus continues to tell His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

Are you ready for a harvest party?! Let’s GO!