John 4:31-38
“In the meantime, the disciples pressed him, ‘Rabbi, eat. Aren’t you going to eat?’ He told them, ‘I have food to eat you know nothing about.’ The disciples were puzzled. ‘Who could have brought him food?’ … ‘Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time! … I sent you to harvest a field you never worked. Without lifting a finger, you have walked in on a field worked long and hard by others.’”
“Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’ But Jesus replied, ‘I have a kind of food you know nothing about.’ ‘Did someone bring him food while we were gone?’ the disciples asked each other. … But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. … 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.’”
The disciples had learned Jesus tended to forget his own needs in serving others. Their care for him is commendable. But their comment, “Who could have brought him food?” is comedic!
They were just learning to see past the temporal, into the world of the Spirit. No easy task for humans. Christ ever calls us to, “take a good look at what’s right in front of you.” Thankfully, the wind of the Spirit comes to our rescue.
Most of us are not evangelists. Instead, we labor; sow, fertilize, water and keep the weeds away. The work is repetitive, boring, and exhausting. It requires self-discipline and becomes our way of living. It is lovely to hear Christ honor it here.
Lord, I must bring smiles to your face too. I like the idea I can give you joy. May I see my world through your eyes, ever ready to follow your Spirit in your work. Thank you for validating my farming effort and affirming the hard work it requires.