Jesus’ Words

“I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are white for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad forever.” (John 4:35-36)

Once when I was talking with some Christian friends I asked, “Do you think that the fields are still white for harvest? Has the Gospel spread throughout the world in the centuries since Jesus’ words, so that there are no more fields to acknowledge Christ and come into the fold of God? The discussion was animated, but there was no real consensus; and I wondered if this was a misunderstanding of Jesus’ words, or a reflection of cynicism on the part of Christians.

Jesus spoke those words just before his two day visit to a Samaritan village where, likely to the disciples’ surprise, many people became believers in Jesus as the Christ. Jesus rarely stayed longer than he had intended in any community, but here he responded to the invitation of the people, not to heal or perform miracles, but to speak about the Kingdom of God, and to harvest souls for that kingdom.

Not long after my conversation, Jack and I traveled to Cap Rock Canyon where we would hike and see the buffalo herd there. As we drove to the canyon we commented on the drought that the area was experiencing, and we passed a field of cotton that was so dry that the plants were withered almost beyond recognition. I felt sorry for the farmer whose crop appeared totally lost. We had a great day in the canyon and the sun was setting when we left. As we drove past the cotton field we were startled by a bright white glare on the right side of the road, and to my astonishment I saw that the withered field had burst into full cotton bloom while we were in the canyon.

I recalled the scripture, and realized that it had been on my mind since that first conversation, and I felt a strong sense of relief that what I had thought might have withered away, was actually alive and very, very well. The scripture spoke to my need and my hope for that magnificent field, gleaming in the setting sunlight. I was reassured that the fields are indeed still “white unto harvest,” and that God still seeks sowers and reapers to attend to His fields .

It was said of the prophet Samuel that God “let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel:3:19) So far, Jesus’ words have carried us for over two thousand years. I believe they are headed for eternity.

Love in Him,

Prue