JOHN 4:34-35: “Then Jesus explained: ‘My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Do I share my faith with others? Am I discerning the divine opportunities presented each day to tell others about Jesus Christ? As I begin this new day, is sharing my faith even in my agenda, or am I so preoccupied with all the things I “have to do” that I miss the divine opportunities of what I “could do.”

I love the story about the woman at the well. I have heard many messages on this account in Jesus’ life, and I have preached a few myself. Yet, each time I read it, something new touches my heart. This morning, it was Jesus’ statement to the disciples,

“…I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” (John 4:32 NLT)

The disciples had not been with Jesus because they were busy securing their next meal. They were doing what they “had to do!” Meanwhile, Jesus comes to a well, begins a conversation with a Samaritan woman, and does what we all “should do.” Jesus looked for the Father’s divine opportunity to share the Good News with a hungry heart.

While the disciples focused on physical food, Jesus was focused on spiritual food. While the disciples were busy trying to find food, Jesus was offering the Bread of Life to one hungry soul. When the disciples returned, they did not think, “Oh, wonderful! Jesus is sharing the Good News with this woman who needs Him!” No, this is what they thought among themselves.

“Just then, his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” (John 4:27 NLT)

You see, it did not even dawn on them! First, Jewish men did not strike up conversations with women. Second, Jews did not talk to Samaritans. Yet, here was Jesus, engaged in conversation with a woman and a Samaritan woman at that. Jesus, while alone, waiting at the well, saw the Father’s divine opportunity to reach out to a broken, hurting soul.

And Jesus did just that!

How many times do we encounter someone at the well? While we do not go to a physical well to draw water, the well represents the ordinary routines of our lives. It can be the gas station, the supermarket, the local diner, the bank, or just someone we encounter while on a walk. While neither you nor I goes armed with our Bibles every moment of every day, we do carry Jesus in our hearts, and we have a testimony we can share!

Are there divine opportunities we are missing? Are there people we would not normally talk to that Jesus wants us to share His life with? Are we open to interrupting our daily routine and schedule to share the Water of Life with another thirsty traveler?

The disciples missed it. I miss it. Most of us miss it. We see all the things we need to do and miss the most important things God desires us to do. We don’t even see the woman at the well. We are so busy in our lives that we walk right past her. This is why Jesus tells us,

“You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!” (John 4:35-36)

What is Jesus saying? There are divine opportunities all around, hungry hearts all around us, people who need Jesus all around us! The problem is never about the harvest, the divine opportunity; it is always about the laborers. Jesus is not calling us to walk around with a Bible in hand 24/7 and ask everyone we meet to say the sinner’s prayer. Jesus is simply asking us to sow the seed, to be open to God’s divine appointments, and when we recognize one of these divine appointments, to…

Tell Them Now!

“You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” (John 4:37-38 NLT)

Heavenly Father, open my eyes to see the harvest! Jesus, open my eyes to see Your divine opportunities all around me. Holy Spirit, give me boldness to sow the seeds of the Gospel into people’s hearts. Help me to be open and sensitive to the divine appointments you place in my life. Grant me the grace to –

“Tell Them Now!”

Help me to see the person at my well!

In Jesus’ Name!