Harvest

As we approach Harvest Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the bountiful blessings God has bestowed upon us. It's a time to pause and reflect on the fruits of our labor, both in the physical and spiritual realms. Just as farmers reap the harvest of their fields, we too can celebrate the harvest of our lives, the seeds of faith that have been sown and nurtured.

The Bible teaches us about the importance of recognising God's provision. In Deuteronomy, we are instructed to bring our first fruits before the Lord as an act of gratitude and acknowledgment of His sovereignty. This act of offering reminds us that all we have comes from Him.

But Harvest Thanksgiving is not just about crops and food; it's about celebrating the spiritual harvest as well. We are called to be workers in God's field, spreading the seeds of His love and grace. As we share our faith with others, we participate in the ongoing work of bringing people into a relationship with Jesus.

Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 9:37, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." We are all called to be labourers in this harvest, sharing the good news of salvation with those around us.

As we celebrate Harvest Thanksgiving, let us remember our story, the story of God's saving work in our lives. Let us also look forward with hope to the future, knowing that God will one day complete His work and bring us into His eternal harvest

May this season of thanksgiving be a time of joy, gratitude, and renewed commitment to sharing the love of Christ with the world.

"As we celebrate the harvest season, we are reminded of the abundance that surrounds us and the hard work of those who bring food to our tables. Yet, amidst this plenty, we must also remember those in our community who face hardship and hunger.

The story of Ruth, a Moabite widow who found refuge and sustenance in Israel, echoes the spirit of the harvest. Ruth, a foreigner with limited resources, gleaned leftover grain from the fields, relying on the generosity of others for survival. This ancient practice of gleaning served as a social safety net, ensuring that the marginalised had access to food.

Just as Ruth relied on the kindness of the community, we too have a responsibility to support those in need. The food bank stands as a testament to our commitment to compassion and justice. It is a reminder that we are all interconnected and that our blessings are meant to be shared.

Let us be inspired by Ruth's story and extend our hands in kindness to those who are struggling. Let us remember that our actions, no matter how small, can make a difference in the lives of others. As we give thanks for the abundance of the harvest, let us also commit to sharing our blessings with those who are less fortunate.

May the spirit of Ruth guide us as we strive to create a community where everyone has access to food and a life of dignity. Let us be the ones who glean for the Ruths of today, offering hope and sustenance to those in need. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, 'Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help' (Isaiah 58:7).

As we go forth from this harvest season, let us carry the spirit of Ruth in our hearts, sharing our blessings and working towards a more just and compassionate world for all." 

As we celebrate Harvest, our hearts naturally turn to gratitude for God's abundant provision – the food that nourishes our bodies and the countless blessings poured out upon us. It's a time to remember that both our physical and spiritual sustenance ultimately come from God.

Our Gospel reading from John 6:25-35 often features in harvest services, and it follows the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. Imagine that scene: a vast, hungry crowd, their physical needs met by just five loaves and two fish. Yet, when they sought Jesus out again, He discerned their true motivation. They were still focused on the physical, on another "fix" of bread and fish, much like their ancestors desired manna in the wilderness.

But Jesus offers something far greater: "Do not work for food that spoils," He says, "but for food that endures to eternal life." The crowd, still thinking of human effort, asked, "What must we do to do the works that God requires?" Their minds were on earning God's favour, but eternal life is a gift, not something we achieve through our own works. As Ephesians 2 reminds us, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works."

Jesus contrasts the physical manna with Himself, the true "bread of God that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." He declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

At our Harvest service in Denver, we also celebrated a baptism. This powerfully resonates with Jesus' message. In baptism, we witness new life in Christ – a spiritual harvest. We are washed clean, reborn, and renewed by the Holy Spirit, receiving the gift of eternal life that Jesus offers. Baptism is a visible sign of an invisible grace, a public declaration of faith in the one who is the Bread of Life.

So, as we give thanks for the physical harvest, let us also remember the spiritual nourishment Jesus offers. "What must we do to do the works that God requires?" – "Believe in the one he has sent." Let this be our harvest today. Amen.

Here we are, celebrating Harvest once again – a time for thanksgiving for all that God provides. Traditionally, our thoughts might turn to fresh fruits and vegetables, but today, it’s often non-perishable foods and household items for our local foodbanks that reflect our gratitude. In all this, we give thanks to God through our offerings.

This year' readings for Harvest from Psalm 100, Philippians 4, and John 6, deepen our understanding. Harvest isn't just about the food; it’s about all the blessings God bestows, not least the gift of life itself. 

Psalm 100 calls us to joyful worship, reminding us that we are God's children, made by Him. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise," because "the Lord is good and his love endures for ever."

This thankfulness leads Paul to command us in Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" These emotions - thanksgiving, joyfulness, worship, and rejoicing - are not fleeting. Paul wrote this from prison, reminding us that even in struggle, we are called to express these emotions, acknowledging our identity as children of God. They are for all times and circumstances, not just Sundays or Harvest.

While the first two readings might not explicitly mention food, John 6 brings it into focus. The crowd followed Jesus after the feeding of the 5,000, but Jesus challenged them to look beyond the physical. "You are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill." He wanted them to focus on the spiritual, the supernatural, the miracles.

For us today, Harvest is not just about the harvest of food, but the harvest of souls. It’s not just about the bread that feeds, but the bread that gives life to the world. Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me… will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me… will never be thirsty." Asking for our daily bread in the Lord’s Prayer isn't for physical hunger; it's for spiritual hunger. We receive it by simply believing in and coming to Him who provides. This is the bread we should truly be thankful for, every single day.

Just as manna came from heaven for the Israelites, God provides for our spiritual hunger today. This is why Paul urges us to "Rejoice in the Lord always." And because of what we receive and our joyfulness, we need not be anxious about anything. In every situation, we are called to pray with thanksgiving, even in anxiety, knowing that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

So, as we celebrate this Harvest, let our gratitude for physical gifts point us to the spiritual gift of Jesus, the bread of life. May we always be thankful, joyful, worshipful, and rejoiceful for what we have received. Amen.