Fields White For Harvest (Part 2)

One of the great statements on mission work given by our Lord is found in John 4:35: “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!” (NKJ). Fields “white for harvest” do not just happen. There must first be preparation by planting and watering the Gospel seed. Then, God will be the one to give the increase (1 Cor. 3:6-7).
 
In Part 1 of this study, we learned the following lessons about contacts, whether they come to us or we go to them: (1) initiate conversations with them that lead to discussions about spiritual matters that effect their soul; (2) be willing to go against the status quo in reaching lost souls; (3) family members are often good prospects for the Gospel, though sometimes they are the most difficult; and (4) people who personally know us, such as friends and acquaintances, are more likely to accept our invitations to study or visit church assemblies. In Part 2 of this study, we will continue examining our taking the message to others and then note some results of fields “white for harvest.

Taking the Message to Others (Continued)

When we examine the incident with Jesus and the Samaritan woman in John 4, there are three lessons we can learn about taking the message to others. The first of these was examined in the last article; namely, when we are convinced of the Gospel, evangelizing others will become a priority in our lives (cf. Jn. 4:7 cf. 4:28).

Second, all of us can at least invite others to “Come and see.” When she finally comprehended the words of Jesus, “The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (Jn. 4:28-29). The woman of Samaria was definitely one of questionable moral character (cf. Jn. 4:16-19). In the typical first century village, as in many villages in non-industrialized countries today, everyone knew everyone else’s background (cf. Acts 16:1-3). Thus, the Samaritan woman’s effectiveness of personally teaching the men of her village would be limited. However, given her marital background, what Jesus revealed about it, and the conviction with which she told her village, her invitation resulted in the men of the village coming out to meet Jesus. This is not to say that the more immoral our past, the better we are at inviting people, but it is to say that all of us can at least invite others to come and hear the Scriptures taught. If the Samaritan woman can do it, so can we!

Third, in taking the Gospel to others, not only will we reach the lost, but we will also encourage the saved. After the Samaritan woman left Jesus to invite her village, the disciples approached Jesus. When they left him, He was tired and hungry (Jn. 4:6). So they “urged Him, saying, Rabbi, eat. But He said to them, I have food to eat of which you do not know” (Jn. 4:31-32). This puzzled the disciples because they were the ones who went to get food (Jn. 4:8). “Therefore the disciples said to one another, Has anyone brought Him anything to eat? Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (Jn. 4:33-34). Jesus’ concern for the Samaritan woman’s soul as a priority over His own physical needs and the disciples’ lack of comprehension on true priorities provided the perfect opportunity to remind them that their very livelihood (“food”) must be to do God’s will! From this context Jesus says, “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!” (Jn. 4:35). Thus, the disciples (and we) are encouraged not to wait for the “perfect” time, which may never come, but to take the Gospel to others now while the opportunities are ours.

If we do not see taking the Gospel to others as a priority, then we will not look for the opportunities that present themselves through the providence of God. If we do not take advantage of the opportunities we have to invite others to study the Bible and/or attend church services, we will not be an encouragement to others to take the Gospel to the lost. Let us consider taking the Gospel to others as a priority!

The Result of Fields White for Harvest

How people will respond to the Gospel is often predictable when their hearts are right (cf. Acts 8:30-31, 38; 10:33, 48). Honest people who weigh the evidence of Scripture will come to the proper conclusions and will pursue further knowledge. The Samaritan woman did influence a certain level of faith in others, for “many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, He told me all that I ever did” (Jn. 4:39). Their initial belief fueled their desire to know more, so that “when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41And many more believed because of His own word” (Jn. 4:40-41). Faith based upon the word of the woman led to faith based on the word of the Lord. “Then they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world” (Jn. 4:42).

May we never underestimate the power of the Gospel. One seemingly insignificant woman who had the desire to tell others about Jesus became an avenue through which many believed. So can we!