Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest’? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” -John 4:34-38 NRSV
The words "look around you" speaks to me of our need to know those who are in our lives. When Jesus speaks of fields that "are ripe for harvesting" he is not speaking so much of giving an altar call but of touching lives the way that he touched them. He is saying: look at these with eyes of love and be moved by compassion to minister his grace.
That said, I love the idea of planting divine seeds into people's lives. Being patient with a frustrated cashier can be an instrument of grace. Speaking a word of encouragement to a hurting coworker can turn their hearts towards heaven. We really do not know how our lives will impact others when we are led by the Spirit and manifest His fruit.
Give us eyes to see and hearts to hear Lord. Fill us afresh with compassion that we might minister your grace.
... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
Well said Bob.
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