Opening Our Eyes. A Lent Post.

Is it possible to become so concerned with details and logistics that we lose sight of our overarching purpose? Just ask virtually anyone who works in a governmental bureaucracy. Or anyone in a denominational staff position. Or . . .. You get the picture. Consider the concluding portion of an among Jesus, his closest followers, and a group of second-class citizens known as Samaritans.

John 4:27-42



Did you ever wonder why it took twelve guys to go and find some lunch for themselves and for Jesus? No one in the group was willing to stay with Jesus, sending the others to do the procurement. Were they afraid of “those people” whose territory they were passing through? Was strength in numbers the thought, in case of an encounter with a hard-nosed group of youths in this section usually avoided by upstanding Jews?

While twelve were off doing the leg-work, the behind-the-scenes things we assign to “go-fors” the real ministry was happening without their input. Jesus would describe it to them in terms of fields they didn’t plant, but nonetheless could assist in harvesting. While they were away looking for food, ministry–the spread of the word about Jesus, was going on without them. Jesus had encountered one of their own among the Samaritans, and through her personal accounting of the incident many were encouraged to come and find Jesus themselves. She, not the disciples, planted the seed. They were busy tending to the needs of the travel party.

It is always tempting to believe that it is by our planning, organizing, and executing well-developed, carefully considered strategies for building the kingdom, growing the church, “winning people to Christ” that the work of Christ is accomplished. In the meantime the hurting, abused woman under our noses is never considered as the place where our Lord is witnessed to. I wonder how many people the disciples passed by without acknowledging on their procurement mission? I know that we, each of us, pass by people every day, many of them needing our conversation to draw them to the possibility that there is hope for them and for their lives and loves ones. One woman with issues (and by the way, women did not initiate divorces in that time), and a whole town interested in hearing Jesus; twelve disciples and something for lunch so ministry could happen when they would arrive at a nicer place.

How well do you and I recognize harvests when we see them? Is it better plans that we need, or is it more sensitive spirits? Is it familiarity with the structure, or willingness to become familiar with the other that we truly need?

Today’s thoughts as we continue a season of repentance.

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