Harvest

A Harvest of Increasing Faith

As we come to know Jesus more, our faith increases. And in what a variety of circumstances does our faith grow! Samaritan woman’s faith grew getting water. We will see that the Samaritan people’s faith grew first because of the woman’s testimony, then because of the words of Jesus Himself.

He says, “I was at home in prison and I sat me down and wrote, and wrote, for joy did make me write.” Bunyan

(HCSB) — 31 In the meantime the disciples kept urging Him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But He said, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.” 33 The disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought Him something to eat?” 34 “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work,” Jesus told them. 35 “Don’t you say, ‘There are still four more months, then comes the harvest’? Listen to what I’m telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest. 36 The reaper is already receiving pay and gathering fruit for eternal life, so the sower and reaper can rejoice together. 37 For in this case the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap what you didn’t labor for; others have labored, and you have benefited from their labor.” 39 Now many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 Therefore, when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of what He said. 42 And they told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world.” 43 After two days He left there for Galilee. 44 Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 When they entered Galilee, the Galileans welcomed Him because they had seen everything He did in Jerusalem during the festival. For they also had gone to the festival.

Who are these Samaritans?

When the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom, they displaced most of the Jews and brought in peoples from neighboring countries.

They brought with them their own religions.

They intermarried with the Jews left behind.

The incorporated God into a convoluted system of many gods.

They are still practicing the former customs to this day. None of them fear the Lord or observe their statutes and ordinances, the law and commandments the Lord commanded the descendants of Jacob. He had renamed him Israel. 41 These nations feared the Lord but also served their idols. Their children and grandchildren continue doing as their fathers did until today.

Spiritually immature, the disciples couldn't see the spiritual nature of what Jesus was doing.

When Ezra and Nehemiah refused their help in rebuilding, they were right! What partnership does God have with Baal?

We cannot worship God and money, other gods, creation or ourselves.

Spiritually immature, the disciples couldn't see the spiritual nature of what Jesus was doing.

Like Nicodemus and the woman, thinking literally.

Spiritual immaturity is better than spiritually dead.

We are commanded to grow, and growth has to have a starting point.

What harvest was Jesus asking them to see?

Possibly fall, and fields were actually ready

Or maybe the Samaritan men, in the white robes of the day, were coming down the hill toward the well.

The disciples will have a hard time seeing them as a harvest because of the animosity between the groups.

So who sowed for this harvest? Samaritan woman! And what an immediate ROI!!

But the cultivating agent was JtB.

Phillip, Peter and John would later reap a harvest in Samaria. ()

Holman New Testament Commentary: John C. Personalization of Gospel Witness (4:39–42)

How did Jesus witness? He was friendly; he asked questions; he showed concern for human need; he faithfully explained the Scriptures; and he emphasized good news for thirsty people. Witnesses are not responsible for converting people; their task is to tell the truth about what they know.