31-33 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? 36-38 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour. Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour.”

39-42 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.” John 4:31-42 English Standard Version

The verse just before today's reading said that the woman Jesus had spoken to at a well left her water jar, and went into town and said to the people: “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” As a result of that, crowds came out of the town and were coming to Jesus. I wonder if that's what prompted His words in vs 35 when He said to the disciples: “Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” There are quite a few thoughts we can take from today's verses about seeking to win others over to Christ. What can vs 34 teach us about the Lord's own passion to making God's kingdom known?

Serving the Father and seeking the lost was more important than daily food and personal comfort. His 'bread and butter' was to do God's will. Is evangelism something we are willing to be inconvenienced for, and make personal sacrifices for? Do we long to see people's lives changed so that they want to live for God's glory?

Could vs 35 perhaps imply an excuse people make when it comes to evangelism?

The Lord was probably using a phrase that was common then, but I think it's also true that we may put off things by saying 'the time isn't quite right yet'. The Old Testament has some wise advice on this. It says: “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest. Just as you can't understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you can't understand the activity of God, who does all things. Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another, or maybe both.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4-6)

What is an encouragement for evangelism we can take from verses 36-38?

When it comes to evangelism it's good to keep in mind that we are part of a chain. Those disciples were eventually going to see many converts – but it was the outcome of Christ's ministry over the previous years. So too, we may have the joy of seeing someone come to Christ through what we share, but many other people may have witnessed to them in earlier years and God used them to prepare the way. There's certainly no place for boasting if someone is saved through our reaching out to them with the gospel. Just a time for great rejoicing.

What is another humbling lesson we can take to heart from vs 39-42?

At the end of the day it's not how dramatic our personal testimony may be, or how persuasive our words might have been, that led to the salvation of another. It's when God's Spirit moves in their heart to hear the words of Jesus, and to believe on Him for eternal life. Our work is to be faithful in making God's word known. There will be many disappointments at the time in doing this as people are not moved by what we say. But who knows what the Holy Spirit will yet do in their lives. We may have been one of the sowers, and another will reap. May God help us to be eager to tell others of Jesus. And may we do so with prayer, and even with tears.