October 17, 2012
"Jesus said, "I AM
the Messiah!"
Just then his disciples came back.They were shocked to find him talking to a woman . . .
(she) ran back to the village, telling everyone, 'Come and see' . . . Meanwhile, the
disciples were urging Jesus, 'Rabbi, eat something.'
But Jesus replied, 'I have a kind of food you know nothing about.'. . . .'My nourishment
comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. . . . wake up
and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. . .and the fruit. . .is people
brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike . . . .I
sent you to harvest. . . .'" John 4:26-38
Just then his disciples came back.They were shocked to find him talking to a woman . . .
(she) ran back to the village, telling everyone, 'Come and see' . . . Meanwhile, the
disciples were urging Jesus, 'Rabbi, eat something.'
But Jesus replied, 'I have a kind of food you know nothing about.'. . . .'My nourishment
comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. . . . wake up
and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. . .and the fruit. . .is people
brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike . . . .I
sent you to harvest. . . .'" John 4:26-38
When
Jesus said “I have food you know nothing about”, I think I know a
little bit about
what he was talking about. When he said, “my food is doing the will of God”, I get it.
what he was talking about. When he said, “my food is doing the will of God”, I get it.
In
the Bible, rewards are not external things like trophies or pay raises
for doing
something really well. Trophies, pay raises end up in the attic and the money runs out.
BUT the rewards that are intrinsic to the action never run out. The true rewards of loving
someone else are had within the act of loving. The true rewards of doing something well
are in the doing the thing well.
For me the reward of being a harvester, someone who helps others to come to Christ as
their Lord and Savior, are in the harvesting. When I see another person come alive in
Christ, I gain nothing material but everything spiritual. Can you imagine how thrilled
something really well. Trophies, pay raises end up in the attic and the money runs out.
BUT the rewards that are intrinsic to the action never run out. The true rewards of loving
someone else are had within the act of loving. The true rewards of doing something well
are in the doing the thing well.
For me the reward of being a harvester, someone who helps others to come to Christ as
their Lord and Savior, are in the harvesting. When I see another person come alive in
Christ, I gain nothing material but everything spiritual. Can you imagine how thrilled
Jesus must have been to see what happened in Samaria?
“What
joy awaits both the planter and harvester alike”.
What joy awaits both God and
you. if you are willing to reach out to those far from God so that they can come to know
him.
you. if you are willing to reach out to those far from God so that they can come to know
him.
In
what ways are you reaching out to others as a harvester for Jesus?
“Lord,
forgive me for ignoring your call to invite others into your kingdom.
I’ve found it
much too easy to be consumed with myself instead others whom you yearn to see in
your forever family. This week I will invite someone, or pray for someone, or listen to
someone. Prompt me Lord out of my debilitating complacency which all too often masks
itself as busy-ness. Amen”
much too easy to be consumed with myself instead others whom you yearn to see in
your forever family. This week I will invite someone, or pray for someone, or listen to
someone. Prompt me Lord out of my debilitating complacency which all too often masks
itself as busy-ness. Amen”
"They were shocked to see him talking to a woman." Jesus and his Kingdom broke all taboos about who was valued and devalued. Jesus didn't need a "binder of full of women" to quote the current Republican candidate for President. Jesus had no need to pander, in fact he ignored the worldly conventions and right conduct of his time. He valued the poor as much or more than than the rich.
ReplyDeleteLord, I pray your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Open our eyes and renew our hearts.