Skip to main content

55. Accomplishing What Is Intended


Isaiah 55:6-13, 1 Cor.  3:1-9, & John 4:31-42
Key Verse: They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the savior of the world.” - John 4:42
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” - Isaiah 55:8

Well, weren’t the disciples in for a surprise when they returned from buying food in the village? Jesus was talking to a woman, and a Samaritan at that! The disciples had so much to learn. On this day, it would be their opportunity to learn how not to be practical. 

Just as the shepherds had done at Jesus’ birth, this woman could not keep her excitement to herself. After the disciples came back to Jesus, she was off to share with her neighbors what she had just experienced. “Come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29) Their curiosity drove them to find out for themselves. “He talked to her, even though He knew…”  They came and listened for themselves and believed. 

Walls were coming down.  Jesus wasn’t about to go anywhere.  In fact, he stayed put, right in the middle of dreaded Samaritan territory for two whole days so that he could talk to and love these cast off people, and the disciples stayed with Him.

“I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields!  They are ripe for harvest.  (John 4:35B) Jesus was telling his disciples, “take off your blinders of prejudice.  Don’t you see, these are people, just like you, who need to hear the good news of a Savior.” 

For Jesus, the Samaritans, like the woman at the well, were lost souls who needed rescuing.  They too would be saved through the hearing of His word, which would not come  back to Him empty, but accomplish its purpose. 

Paul talks about breaking down divisions for the sake of the harvest of Christ. “You are still worldly.  For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?” (1 Cor.  3:3)  The disciples were learning how to think like Christ, the creator of all people. They had to learn how to put away the traditions of their prejudice and divisiveness and see all people in a new way, potential converts to Christ. 

Jesus was scattering seed and reaping a harvest all at once.  He was setting an example for the disciples, and us to follow.  We may not be as quick in reaping a harvest as Jesus was in this particular village, but are we scattering the seed?  Are we noticing those who are ripe for harvest?  Are we trusting in the seed of God’s word to accomplish its purpose when we are faithful to plant it?  Or, are our fears and prejudices holding us back?  “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35)

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  (Isaiah 55:10-11)  Our job is to obey, scatter, and let God work.  He is with you in the scattering!  May we all say as Jesus did, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.” (John 4:34)  We may begin what others will finish, or finish what others have started.  May the sower, such as the woman in this case, and the reaper, who is ultimately Jesus, rejoice together that the Kingdom of God has increased through our obedience. 

Hymn: “The Lord Of Harvest” 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

211. The Sons of Thunder's Request

Matthew 20:20-28 , Mark 10:35-45 , Key verse: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43B-44 In our readings for yesterday, in which Jesus outlined what was about to happen to Him, for His disciples, the passage in Luke ends: "The disciples did not understand any of this. It's meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what He was talking about." ( Luke 18:34 ) Now, we see just how truly clueless they were. Jesus had laid out a plan before them of pain and suffering and death and now James and John are focused on a promotion. The disconnect is so obvious. It's really not important to know whether James and john came up with this request on their own or if their mother put them up to it. The request was made and James and John thought that they could handle the responsibility that would come with it. What is that saying, "Fools rush in where angels fe...
Post a Comment
Read more

204. Come Like a Child

Psalm 127 , Matthew 19:13-15 , Luke 18:15-17 , Mark 10:13-16 Key Verse: Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 The attitude of the disciples isn't much different than the attitude of many people, even Christians, today. Instead of seeing children as a blessing from the Lord, too many regard them as a burden to bear that gets in the way of our own selfish happiness. Family size is determined by what we think we can afford rather than openness to God's blessing, trusting God to provide. Satan hates children. Children represent innocence. The sooner he can corrupt and or damage a child, the happier he is. This is why Jesus warned in Matthew 18:6: "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drown in the depths of the sea." To corrupt or damage ...
Post a Comment
Read more

174. Pleading for the Fig Tree

Proverbs 27:18 , Luke 13:6-9 Key Verse: He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. Proverbs 27:18 We have here three main characters: a master, who acquired the tree in hopes of eventually enjoying its fruit, a servant, who looks to the tree to reflect his care and attention, and lastly, the tree itself. The master has the right to expect his investment to pay off. The servant, who has obviously put much effort into the tree, would also like to see fruit. The servant's interest is not only to show his own talent in gardening, but because he wants to please his master. Both the servant and the master are dependent upon the tree to do what it was designed to do. Their little parable is an interesting way for Jesus to finish off His exhortation to, "repent or perish."  God is the Master. He had a purpose for you before you were even born. ( Jeremiah 1:5 & Psalm 139:16 ) He planted you on this earth to ful...
Post a Comment
Read more