6 MAR 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional
“You know the saying, One plants and another harvests. And it’s true. 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.” John 4: 37-38
In John 4, Jesus intentionally takes a detour to find a person that has been prepared to receive the good news and is open to a heart examination with the law. Jesus takes this woman through a series of questions that exposes her sin and understanding of spiritual things. By the end of the conversation, she believes that Jesus is the Christ and is here to save the world.
She then leaves the scene as the disciples return in order to share the good news she has just heard. Many people from her village come to know Jesus as their savior and Lord. The disciples are mystified on a number of levels. Jesus explains to them the mystery of their current and future work by relating it to farming, from planting seed to gathering the harvest.
The work of God will be done in people from a variety of socio-economic, race, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. The disciples were surprised Jesus was talking to a Samaritan woman which were two things Jewish people don’t do. He opened the aperture of understanding and scope of their work. Jesus has people from other flocks outside of the Jewish community. The Holy Spirit is working through believers to plant seeds of the gospel and gathering those already prepared that receive the good news.
As we faithfully share, God will give the increase among the people and in his timing. None of our efforts are in vain because God will use it and be glorified by it.
Are you planting seeds and/or gathering in believers?
Reading Plan: Psalm 56, 57; Jer. 1:11-19; Rom. 1:1-15; John 4:27-42
Daily Office Year 1
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