“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 (NLT)
When the disciples came back with food, they saw the same tired Jesus who had been weary from the journey—but something was different. He was full. The conversation with the Samaritan woman had satisfied Him in a way that food couldn’t, because His nourishment came from doing the will of His Father and finishing His work. While they were worried about His strength, Jesus was revealing what truly sustains a person—obedience.
Jesus told them, “Wake up and look around; the fields are already ripe for harvest.” The time to act wasn’t months away—it was now. The woman had planted a seed, the Spirit was already moving, and the people were ready. Someone else had prepared the ground; Jesus and His disciples were simply stepping into what God had already made ready.
This is the same truth God told Israel in Deuteronomy 6 and Joshua 24. He gave them cities they didn’t build and fields they didn’t plant, not to make them comfortable but to remind them to fear Him and serve Him wholeheartedly. The same God who provides the harvest expects our obedience and faithfulness in the field.
God still prepares hearts today. He sends some to sow and others to reap, but He is the one who gives the increase. Our part is simple—say yes. There are no excuses left not to share the good news, because God has already done the hard work. All that’s left is to step into His field and gather the harvest.