How Do You View the FIelds?

"Lift up your eyes and view the fiels, that they are white for harvesting." - JOHN 4:35.

JESUS had been traveling through the fields, likely of young green barley.  (John 4:3-6) This crop would be ready to be harvested in about four months' time Jesus said something that must have sounded unusual:  "Lift up your eyes and view the felds, that they are white for harvesting." (Read John 4:35-36) What did he mean?

Jesus was apparently referring to a figurative harvest of people.  Consider what had just happened. Although Jews usually had no dealings with Samaritans, Jesus had preached to a Samaritan woman-and she had listened!  In fact, while Jesus was speaking about fields that were "white for harvesting," a crowd  of Samaritans would heard about Jesus  from the woman who were on their way to learn more from him.  (John 4:9, 39-42)  One Bible commentary  says about this account" "The eagerness of the people.  .  . showed that they were like grain ready for harvesting."

What about the people to whom you preach the good news?  Do you view then as being like grain that is ripe for harvesting?  If so, three things will prove true. First, you wil preach   with more urgency.  A harvest period is limited; there is no time to waste.  Second, you will be happy as you see people respond to the good news.  The Bible says:  "People rejoice in the harvesttime." (Isaiah 9:3)   And third, you will see each persohn as a potential disciple, so you will adapt your approach to appeal to his or her interests.

Jesus did not write off the Samaritans, as his followers may have done. Instead,  he saw them as potential disciples. We too need to see the people in our territory as potential disciples of Christ.  The apostle Paul set an outstanding example for us to follow. What can we learn from him?  In this article, we will discuss how he  (1) knew something about the beliefs of thsoe to whom he preached, (2) discerned their interests, and (3) saw them as potential disciples of Jesus. 

Next time:  How Do You View the Fields? - WHAT DO THEY BELIEVE? 

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