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Jesus said to His disciples, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” Today’s message will address the topic…

The Fields Are Already White for Harvest

The metaphors that Jesus used were striking! Grain was a staple and the nuances of how to grow it were known in every corner of Israel. It was easy for the seasoned farmer to merely look over his crop and estimate accurately the length of time that would have to pass before harvest time. Jesus alluded to this practice when He said, “Do you not say, There are still four months and then comes the harvest’?” Yet, there was a far more important harvest that was immediately upon His disciples but their eyes had failed to perceive it. The metaphor refers to a harvest of souls, not of grain!

The prophets of old had foretold a time when people of every nation would flow into the House of God which was to be established in Jerusalem (see Isaiah 2.1-4 & Micah 4.1-3). Abraham had been promised that all the families of the earth would be blessed through his seed (see Genesis 12.1-3). Simeon was inspired by the Holy Spirit to announce at Jesus' visit to the temple at the age of 40 days, that He was to be “...A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2.37). Simeon's reference was apparently to Isaiah 49.6 were the Lord had promised, “...It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.” From just this small sampling of verses it is clear that from of old it had been God's intention that Messiah be not only Savior to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles.

The disciples were not ready for this harvest to begin. For the most part they envisioned the restoration of the kingdom to Israel and that only in its physical form. They had failed to grasp the fact that the kingdom would be of an entirely different character even though the prophecies had made it abundantly clear. Jesus did not come to save merely the Jews; this part of His mission was equally aimed at the Gentile nation. Therefore, when the opportunity presented itself for Jesus to speak to the Samaritan woman, He took full advantage of it knowing that there were honest souls there who would gladly receive the message of Messiah if given the chance. His disciples, on the other hand, saw it only as a matter to be marveled at that He would pause to speak to a Samaritan, and a woman at that!

With Messiah, perspective was everything. The disciples looked for food; He sought to give the woman Living Water. They wanted Him to eat what they had brought back; He was content to feast on doing the Father's will. They saw nothing noteworthy in the woman and marveled that He found anything of value in talking with her; He saw a great opportunity to open the door of faith to a group of people who had been neglected for far, far too long.

The metaphor of the fields white for harvest is a picturesque figure. It speaks volumes about His mission concerning which He declared, “...the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19.10). The rewards were great inasmuch as “...many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman.” (John 4.39). Further, “...they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word.” (John 4.40-41).

Questions:

1. According to Isaiah 2.1-4, what was to be different about the character of the coming kingdom?

2. According to Jeremiah 31.31ff, how would the New Covenant differ from th old one?

3. According to Luke 19.10, what primary purpose did Jesus have in coming to this earth?

4. What immediate effect did the teaching of Jesus have on the Samaritans? According to Acts 8, is it probable that there were positive long term effects of Jesus' brief labors there? If yes, what were they?

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A World of One