"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labors."(John 4:35-38)

Can you imagine the reaction of the disciples when Jesus spoke these words?

While in Judea, the ministry of Jesus was gaining popularity quickly. The disciples were baptizing several people every day. Everything looked great! And then, Jesus says, "Let's go back to Galilee."

This had to have been a shock to the disciples. Jerusalem and Judea were the centers of religion for the Jews at that time. If you wanted to be heard, then that is where you needed to be! But now there Master was wanting to head back out into the country. Moreover, when they left Him alone, Jesus started talking with a Samaritan woman!

For men who had been taught that salvation was only for the Jews, all of these experiences had to be a shock.

But that is the very lesson that Jesus intends for us all to learn!

There are children of God all over the world. We will find them, or run into them, in the most unlikely of places!

Jesus reminds His disciples that the prosperity of their ministry in Judea was because of the work of John the Baptist before them. Moreover, their work was successful because the Holy Spirit had changed the hearts of those to whom they spoke.

They same lesson applies at Samaria and everywhere else we go. Our ministry can be of no benefit to someone who has not been touched by the Spirit of God and is ready to hear what we have to say.

BUT

We need to realize that God has touched the heart of His children in the new birth among all kinds of people, not just those we think are religious.

We should have our light shining all the time so that when we come across one of God's precious children, we can be a blessing and help to them. The fields are truly white unto harvest, even today!