Jesus is intent not only to reach the Samaritan woman and her townsmen, but he is intent to teach the disciples. And so he encourages them to open their eyes to see the fields about them, ready for harvest. And he encourages them to work in the fields they see.
As disciples, we are those who know the grace of God. Like all of mankind, we know what it is to sin. We know the mire that so easily traps our feet and bogs us down. But we also know the deliverance that Jesus offers. We know the liberation that forgiveness brings. And so, having been loved, we are to love. Jesus would have our hearts warmed to compassion for those around us who do not know that mercy and grace that the gospel offers.
When the woman’s heart was warmed, she immediately thought of those in her town. Even though she had spent years avoiding contact with them -- because she was ashamed --, even though they were far from friends to her, the mercy she found, the relief that forgiveness brings lit a flame in her that would not rest until she shared the good news with those around her.
There are many, many, many lost souls who do not know Jesus. They are all around us, and they are across the world. A healthy disciple is one that is actively engaged in the fields around him, but also aware of and looking toward the harvest of the fields far away.
Real HOPE ... to Real PEOPLE ... for Real TRANSFORMATION
