"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest."
John 4:35
Jesus made this statement in the midst of a dialogue between Him and His disciples in John 4. The disciples had gone into the city to buy some bread. While they were away Jesus had an encounter with a woman who became convinced He was the Son of God (Jn. 4:29). When the disciples returned with bread they said to him, "Master, eat" (Jn. 4:31). Jesus responded in a rather peculiar way: "I have meat to eat that ye know not of" (Jn. 4:32). The disciples were bewildered: "Did someone bring food to Him that we're not aware of?"
Jesus used this moment to teach the disciples about their focus...or lack of focus. "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (Jn. 4:34). Jesus was tired from his journey and physically needed rest and nourishment (Jn. 4:6). However, His heart was still focused on the spiritual needs of people. That's why the harvest is always now.
People need a relationship with Jesus even if they've just pushed away from the table following a Thanksgiving lunch. The spiritual need for a relationship with Jesus is not dependent on physical sustenance. The harvest is great. The spiritually malnourished are all around you. You just have to look at people through the eyes of Jesus.
The spiritual needs of people was the focus of Jesus. The cross shouts this truth to the nations of the world! What is your focus?
Day 8 prayer emphasis: Ask God to bring to your heart those in your life who are spiritually hungry. Then ask God for the courage to reach out to them.
Jesus made this statement in the midst of a dialogue between Him and His disciples in John 4. The disciples had gone into the city to buy some bread. While they were away Jesus had an encounter with a woman who became convinced He was the Son of God (Jn. 4:29). When the disciples returned with bread they said to him, "Master, eat" (Jn. 4:31). Jesus responded in a rather peculiar way: "I have meat to eat that ye know not of" (Jn. 4:32). The disciples were bewildered: "Did someone bring food to Him that we're not aware of?"
Jesus used this moment to teach the disciples about their focus...or lack of focus. "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (Jn. 4:34). Jesus was tired from his journey and physically needed rest and nourishment (Jn. 4:6). However, His heart was still focused on the spiritual needs of people. That's why the harvest is always now.
People need a relationship with Jesus even if they've just pushed away from the table following a Thanksgiving lunch. The spiritual need for a relationship with Jesus is not dependent on physical sustenance. The harvest is great. The spiritually malnourished are all around you. You just have to look at people through the eyes of Jesus.
The spiritual needs of people was the focus of Jesus. The cross shouts this truth to the nations of the world! What is your focus?
Day 8 prayer emphasis: Ask God to bring to your heart those in your life who are spiritually hungry. Then ask God for the courage to reach out to them.
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