JUNE 27, Luke 9:62

In all likelihood, none of your parents are farmers. But in Bible times, many were farmers. They grew crops like wheat and barley. After the autumn rains had softened the ground, the seeds were sown. Ploughing and sowing were done at the same time. First, seeds were scattered. Then they were ploughed into the soil to prevent the birds from eating them. When Jesus told the parable of the Sower, everybody was familiar with the action. The farmer scattered seeds out of a bag while he walked the length and breadth of the fields.

The plough was drawn by a pair of oxen. The law did not allow two different animals to plough together. Any unequal pull strength will cause the weaker animal to suffer. Boulders and obstacles would break the plough. The ploughman must exercise care to avoid hitting them. He must also look forward all the time to produce straight furrows (lines in the ground for seeds to be sown). If he were to keep looking back, he would not be fit to be a ploughman. Likewise, to be fit for the Kingdom of Heaven, we need to look to Jesus, who has gone before us.

A farmer’s life was hard because it was backbreaking work the whole year round. In winter, he had to weed the fields. In spring, when the grain began to swell in the rain, he had to watch out for pests and birds that might eat up his crops. At the end of April, the fields would be ready for harvest. It would yet be another busy season for the farmer. After harvesting, there would be threshing, winnowing, sifting and storing to do. The farmer may grow other crops like flax for linen, vines of grapes for wine as well as olives and figs. In the book of Matthew, the Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous but the labourers are few.” Are you willing to labour for the Lord?

Thought: Whenever I tell others about Jesus, I am sowing the Gospel seed.

Prayer: Heavenly Father help me to be a faithful labourer in the harvest of souls for You. I know it will not be easy work but with Your help, I shall be able to do it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.