October 27 - The Sower and the Reaper 뿌리는 자와 거두는 자

October 27 - The Sower and the Reaper

 

“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.” - John 4:36

 

 

The physical and emotional payoff of planting crops comes when those returns are harvested. This is a time of happiness for everyone involved. And yet, the primary joy is for those who do the reaping: those bringing in the finished goods. Spiritually, those who plant seeds of the gospel are not always the same people who see those seeds take root and grow. Often, people are led to Christ after one person plants a seed, a different person nourishes it, and another helps the person express truly saving faith.

Earlier, the Samaritan woman mentioned the Messiah (John 4:25). She also mentioned Messiah to the people in town after speaking with Jesus (John 4:29). It's possible that she'd heard these ideas from the followers of John the Baptist. In other words, seeds have been planted in this area—the disciples need to pay attention and see where there are opportunities for a harvest! Jesus' remark in verse 35 suggests this very idea. Others have planted seeds, and now the time has come to bring those returns in.

 

Farmers work very hard sowing their seeds from early morning till late at night, hoping to reap abundantly during the harvest. When the harvest is full, everyone rejoices (John 4:36). The parable of the sower is in the three Gospels (Matthew 13:1-3; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:5-15). The seeds fell into four different soils, but only the seeds in fertile soil produced abundant fruits. Jesus taught his disciples that they were farmers. They went out to sow the seeds (Psalms 126:5-6). The seeds signify the word of God (Psalms 55:10-11). Some people refuse to accept the gospel when they hear it. Some accept it with glad hearts and desire to start believing in Christ. 

 

The same seeds fell on four different types of soil. The farmers sow the seeds in the same way. However, there was a big difference in the results because of the difference in soils. The seeds that fell on the path, rocky places, and among thorns sprang up, but they all eventually withered away. Only the seeds that fell on good soil eventually produced a crop. The parable teaches us to preach the gospel to prepare people for a good result. The parable teaches us to preach to those whose hearts are prepared like the good soil for a bounteous crop of the gospel. 

 

The parable of the sower emphasizes the importance of results. We are to preach the gospel first to those ready to receive. It is not suggesting preaching to those who refuse to listen. It is one of the strategies to bring the harvest in witnessing. The story of Jesus of full harvest and sending out workers into the field is important (Matthew 9:37- 38). 

 

It is possible to lose all harvests if the farmers do not reap the harvest in time. The time and the field for the harvest are crucial. In Matthew 10:5, Jesus told His disciples, “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.” He said this because it was not the right time for them to hear the gospel. It was not the time of harvest. Therefore, it is important to decide on the right soil and the right time for the harvest. 

 

“Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer's year. It brings to harvest all the loveliest flowers of the soul.” – Billy Graham.

 

 

Today’s Prayer: Pray for social justice agencies in your area that God’s kingdom may be advanced through their work.  

Prayer Pointer: The impression that a praying mother leaves upon her children is life-long. Perhaps your prayer will be answered when you are dead and gone. – Anonymous.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 20-22; 2 Timothy 2

 

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10월27일 - 뿌리는 자와 거두는 자

 

“거두는 자가 이미 삯도 받고 영생에 이르는 열매를 모으나니 이는 뿌리는 자와 거두는 자가 함께 즐거워하게 하려 함이니라” - 요4:36

 

 

농작물 심기의 실제적인 보상은 마침내 수확을 거두는 이득입니다. 수확하시는 시기는 함께한 사람들에게 복된 시간입니다. 그러나 가장 큰 기쁨은 완성한 농산물을 거두어 들이는 사람들에게 있습니다. 영적으로 생각하면 복음의 씨앗을 뿌리는 자와 뿌리가 내리고 자라는 것을 보는 자와 항상 동일하지 않습니다.  사실, 종종 한 사람이 북음의 씨앗을 뿌리고 다른 사람이 성장시키고, 또 다른 사람이 진정으로 구원의 믿음을 표현하도록 돕고 그리스도를 영접하도록 합니다. 

요한복음 4장에서 사마리아 여인이 메시아만난 사건을 볼 수 있씁니다(요 4:25). 이 여인은  예수님을 만난 다음에 마을로 돌아가 사람들에게 메시아를 전합니다(요 4:29). 이 여인은 세례 요한의 제자들로부터 메시야애 관한 이야기를 들었을 가능성이 큽니다. 우리는 복음의 씨가 심어져서 수확할 기회가 있는지 주의를 기울이고 확인해야 합니다. 35절의 예수님의 말씀은 바로 이 개념을 암시합니다. 다른 사람들이 씨를 뿌리고 이제 그 수확을 거둘 떄가 된 것입니다. 

 

농부들은 풍성한 수확을 기대하며 이른 아침부터 밤 늦게까지 열심히 씨를 뿌립니다. 수확이 많으면 모두가 기뻐합니다(요 4:36). 씨 뿌리는 자의 비유는 세 복음서에 나옵니다(마 13:1-3; 마가 4:1-20; 눅 8:5-15). 씨앗은 네개의 다른 토양으로 떨어졌지만 옥토에서만 풍성한 열매를 맺었습니다. 예수님은 제자들에게 그들이 농부라고 가르치며 제자들은 씨를 뿌리러 나간 자들이라고 말합니다(시 126:5-6). 씨앗은 하나님의 말씀을 의미하는데(시 55:10-11) 어떤 사람은 복음을 듣고도 믿지 않습니다. 그러나 어떤 사람들은 기쁜 마음으로 복음을 받아들이고 그리스도를 믿기 원합니다. 

 

똑같은 씨앗이 네 가지 다른 유형의 토양에 떨어졌습니다. 농부들은 항상 같은 방식으로 씨를 뿌립니다. 그러나 토양의 차이 때문에 결과에 큰 차이가 생깁니다. 길과 바위 같은 곳, 가시나무 사이에 떨어진 씨앗이 솟아나 자라기 시작했지만 결국 모두 시들어 버립니다. 좋은 땅에 떨어진 씨앗 만이 농작물을 생산했습니다. 이 비유의 말씀은 사람들이 좋은 결과를 얻도록 복음을 전하여 준비하도록 가르치는 것 입니다. 이 비유는 우리가 복음의 풍성한 수확을 얻기 위해 좋은 흙처럼 마음이 준비된 사람들에게 복음을 전파하라고 가르칩니다. 

 

씨 뿌리는 자의 비유는 결과의 중요성을 강조합니다. 우리는 복음을 받아 들일 준비가 된 사람들에게 복음을 전파하는 것이 중요합니다. 듣기를 거부하는 사람들에게 설교하라는 제안이 아닙니다. 전도에서 더 효과적인 수확을 얻는 전략중에 하나입니다. 예수님의 풍성한 추수의 이야기와 밭으로 일꾼들을 보내는 말씀은 전도에 매우 중요한 것입니다(마 9:37-38). 

 

농부들이 제 시간에 수확을 거두어 들이지 않으면 모든 수확을 잃을 수도 있습니다. 수확을 위한 시간과 밭은 매우 중요합니다. 마태복음 10장 5절에서 예수 제자들에게 "이방인의 길로도 가지 말고 사마리아인의 고을에도 들어가지 말고” 라고 말씀하십니다. 예수님은 그들이 복음을 듣기에 적절한 때가 아닌 줄 아시고 이렇게 말씀하셨습니다. 그때는 그들을 위한 추수기가 아니었습니다. 따라서 수확을 위한 올바른 토양과 적절한 시기를 결정하는 것이 매우 요합니다.

 

"사랑은 농부의 해에 여름이 무엇인지에 대한 마음입니다. 그것은 영혼의 가장 사랑스러운 꽃을 모두 수확합니다." – 빌리 그레함.

 

 

오늘의 기도: 당신이 살고 있는 지역에 사회정의 단체를 위해 기도하여 하나님의 나라가 그들의 사역을 통해 발전되도록 기도하십시오. 

기도 지침: 기도하는 어머니가 그의 자녀들에게 남기는 인상은 평생을 간다. 아마도 당신 죽었다고 해도 당신의 기도는 응답될 것이다. 작자미상

성경 읽기: 예레미야 20-22장; 디모데후서 2장