Ripe for Harvest
To reflect God’s heart to the world around us, we need to know God’s heart and, we believe, God’s heart is most clearly represented in Jesus. In the weeks leading up to Easter, we invite you to explore the life of Jesus by reading the Gospel of John with us. As we delve into the richness of scripture, we’ll utilize the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, which invites us to slow down and posture our hearts to hear from God. With that said, let’s begin with a prayer:
Open your time by reciting these words:
Lord, as I approach scripture, prepare my heart to encounter You in its pages. Quiet the distractions that pull me away and open my eyes to see Your truth. May I encounter these words humbly, with an open mind and a receptive spirit. May my time in Scripture be a sacred encounter that deepens my relationship with You and transforms me into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lectio (Reading)
Take a moment to read John 4:27-54 slowly and attentively. As you read, pay attention to any words or phrases that stand out to you. Allow the text to wash over you, inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” John 4:34-35
Meditatio (Meditation)
As today’s passage opens up, we find Jesus having a conversation with his disciples after encountering the Samaritan woman at the well. When they offer him food, he tells them about a nourishment that goes beyond physical hunger—a satisfaction found in fulfilling God's purpose and doing His will. Jesus compares the work of sharing the good news to farming: sowing seeds, waiting for the harvest, and rejoicing together.
Similarly, our lives are like fields where God plants seeds of purpose and meaning. Sometimes, we may feel impatient for results or unsure about our role in God's plan. Yet, just as a farmer trusts in the process of sowing and reaping, we can trust that God is at work in our lives. As we align ourselves with God's will and participate in his kingdom work, we discover a deep fulfillment that surpasses anything the world can offer. Let's embrace the joy of partnering with God in his grand harvest of souls.
Take a moment to reflect on the words you have read. Reflect on all the interactions with Jesus in today’s reading. Notice the Samaritan woman's transformation from skepticism to belief. Put yourself in the shoes of the disciples who watched all of this unfold before them and consider how it impacted their perception of faith and understanding of the message they carried.
Contemplatio (Contemplation)
Despite her initial hesitations and doubts, the Samaritain’s woman's heart began to open to the possibility of something greater than the life she was currently living. Jesus revealed her broken past, the emptiness she had sought to fill with relationships that left her wanting more. But here was Jesus, offering her a different kind of love, a love that would never leave her empty. This unexpected, grace-filled encounter with Jesus led her to a profound realization: he was the long-awaited Messiah—the one who could truly satisfy the deepest longings of her soul. Filled with excitement and newfound faith, she left her water jar behind and hurried back to her village, eager to share the good news with others (verses 28-30). Her willingness to share her story provided the disciples with a tangible example of the picture Jesus had just painted for them - a spiritual harvest of souls ripe for hope, transformation, and salvation (verses 39-42).
Take a moment to consider the courage it took for the Samaritian woman to speak openly about her past and her newfound faith. How does her willingness to share her story resonate with you? What fears or hesitations do you have about sharing your own faith journey with others?
Actio (Action)
In our lives, we often face moments of uncertainty and desperation like the royal official (verses 43-54). We cry out to God for answers and solutions, longing for a sign of hope. Like the royal official, we're called to trust in Jesus' words without hesitation. Even when circumstances seem dire, we can take comfort in knowing that His promises are true. When we choose to take Jesus at His word, we open ourselves to the miraculous work of His grace in our lives. Let us cultivate a faith that trusts in the power and goodness of Jesus, believing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises, even when the outcome seems impossible.
Take a moment to determine how you will respond to God's invitation to trust Him more fully. Commit to stepping out in faith, believing in His word and His promises, even when doubts arise. Look for opportunities to exercise this faith in your daily life, trusting that God is faithful to fulfill His word.
Oratio (Prayer)
Close your time by reciting this prayer or lifting up your own:
Heavenly Father, grant us the courage to share our encounters with You boldly, like the Samaritan woman, trusting in Your transformative power to touch hearts and bring forth new life. Help us, like the royal official, to trust Your promises without hesitation, even when circumstances seem dire, knowing that Your word is true and faithful. May we, through the example of these encounters, deepen our faith, surrendering our doubts and fears into Your loving hands. Amen.