Document: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940522.TXT
-----------------------------------------------------------

OUR DAILY BREAD                        Saturday, May 22, 1994
---------------
READ:  Acts 2:1-8


                        "THE NEW HARVEST"


                 They are the firstfruits to the Lord.

                          - Leviticus 23:17

I was visiting a friend in a Midwest farming community during harvest
season. Huge combines churned through his fields, depositing soybeans into
waiting wagons. My friend leaped onto one of the wagons to check out his
"firstfruits." What he saw was encouraging. Despite the worst corn crop in
40 years, the soybeans gave him reason to thank God for a good harvest.

Pentecost, which we remember today, has its roots in an agricultural
setting. Fifty days after Passover, Jewish farmers celebrated the Feast of
Weeks (Lev. 23:15-22), in which they recognized the hand of God who gave
the crops. 

Centuries later, the Lord chose the Day of Pentecost to celebrate a new
harvest. Fifty days from Passover, the Holy Spirit came on a small group
of believers and moved through Jerusalem, bringing in a different kind of
crop. These firstfruits were men, women, and children added to the church
(Acts 2:38-46). 

Pentecost's historical farming connection reminds us that a world of lost
souls is ready for harvest (John 4:35). As believers in Christ, we are
God's fruit, but we are commanded to be His farmers as well.

Are we helping to bring in the new harvest?     -MRD II

There's surely somewhere a lowly place
      In earth's harvest fields so wide,
      Where I may labor through life's short day
      For Jesus, the crucified.     -Gabriel

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
----------------------
Without the Holy Spirit there would be no harvest.

------------------------------------------------------------
Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of Radio
Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA. Written per-
mission must be obtained from RBC for any further posting or
distribution.  RBC  provides  a  variety of Bible resources,
which are free of charge. RBC is not funded by any group  or
denomination, and support comes voluntarily from its Members
and friends. Write for more information, or call  1-800-598-
7221
------------------------------------------------------------