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The Sower and The Reaper

John 4:27-38
Key Verse 4:37

"Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true"

Praise God who worked mightily in his world mission ministry for the last 50 years. Praise God who planted the seed of the gospel in the wilderness of Asia and let it blossom and ripen for harvest.The title of today's message is "The Sower and the Reaper."The key verse is John 4:37 "Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true." May God bless us to open our eyes to look at Asia, the continent ripe for harvest.

Jesus' disciples were surprised to find Jesus talking with a Samaritan woman. However, Jesus' conversation with her seemed so serious that no one dared ask, "Why are you talking with her?" Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" When her fellow townspeople saw how much she had been changed, they began to come to Jesus.

Meanwhile his disciples urged him to eat, giving him the lunch box and the ice cream they bought from town. "Rabbi, eat something" But he said to them "I have food to eat that you know nothing about" His disciples were confused and looked at each other, saying "Could someone have brought him food?" Then Jesus said to them. "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest?' I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest" Jesus's disciples didn't expect the harvest.  They thought they had 'four months more until the harvest'. But Jesus saw the field ripe for harvest. It was because Jesus saw one Samaritan woman changed drastically through his meeting with her.  Her meeting with the Christ helped her soul deeply. Jesus saw many Samaritan souls eagerly awaiting harvest workers through one woman's change. So Jesus challenged his disciples "Open your eyes and look at the fields! they are ripe for harvest"

Look at verses 36 and 37: “Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true."  The disciples were told to look at a field which they had not given any attention.  They were not willing to reap because they had not sown. They had overlooked an important fact: it was the fact that there were many who had sacrificed themselves sowing the seeds in Samaria before they have arrived. Who were these sowers? They were the prophets, preachers, and teachers who were all great ancestors of faith, such as Elijah. There were countless more who suffered and struggled, striving to sow the seeds of God's word without their names recorded.

When they were planting the seed they felt like they were working for nothing.   There were times when after all the sowing, not even one repented of their sins. It must have been painfully discouraging and disappointing. But, not even one of those seeds were wasted. Though underground and unseen, the seeds had begun to sprout and finally, when Jesus' time had come, they were ready for Him to reap.

In verse 37: “Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true” Jesus clearly proclaims that when one man sows, the other man will definitely reap its fruit. Whatever we reap, it is sometimes due to our own sowing, but sometimes it is because others have sown before us. Often we experience the fruit of others' seeds. Therefore, whatever the outcome may be, we must diligently and earnestly sow the seeds of the Word of God. 

50 years ago, the heart of Korean young people on campus were like a wilderness, poisoned with poverty and despair. During that time, Asia was a place where all kinds of religion and idol worship thrived and it was like a rocky land covered with thorns and wild bushes. In such a wilderness, it seemed useless to sow anything. It seemed impossible for seeds to be planted, to sprout, and to grow with blossoms that could bear any fruit. However, during the last 50 years, countless and abundant fruit has been harvested on Korean Campuses. In Asia as well, which once was a rocky land of thorn and rocks, a fruitful and abundant harvest is occurring.  India, China, Hongkong, Indonesia, and Japan once seemed to be barren lands, but now we are reaping an abundant harvest. 

How was this made possible in just the last 50 years? It is because of Doctor Samuel Lee, who faithfully served the Lord and started the pioneering mission in 1961 until 2002 when he was called to heaven.  He sowed and planted day and night with much tears and all his might. It was also because of many of the pioneering ancestors of faith who sowed earnestly and diligently with many tears. Because of their hard work, we could benefit and rejoice in much harvest work during the last 50 years. Likewise, our descendants will be reaping what we sow now. The harvest of 50 years from now depends on how much we strive and commit ourselves in sowing the word of God. Now, in the next 50 years of UBF history it is the time for us to sow once again with all our heart and with tears.  We must sow today with faith and vision that even if we do not enjoy the harvest ourselves, in the future, our descendants definitely will harvest. We must sow the Word of God in tears. Jesus promises “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” AMEN!