John 4:31-38

John 4:31-38 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

Ephesians 1:11-14 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory.

Jesus did the Father's will as he traveled to or stood beside "the well," awaiting the next despised Samaritan, rejected leper, scorned tax collector, or grimy fisherman to come along side and learn of him. He looked for and attracted broken, needy, confused, and even rebellious lost sheep to shepherd. As adopted sons and daughters, heirs with Christ Jesus, we should be about our Father’s business: sowing seeds of righteousness; reaping a plentiful harvest of the Spirit. God calls each of us to reflect Jesus and to proclaim truth: In him (Jesus) was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4) As we arise with Christ and grow in grace, we proclaim the Good News that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13)

We have glad tidings of great joy: Emmanuel, God with us, has come with healing and salvation for all. Even though the wages of sin is death, we have hope because the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) In this season of gift giving, may we recall the meaning behind giving gifts: we love and give because God first loved us and gave us eternal life through his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the babe in the manger. This babe grew in wisdom, grace, and the desire to obey and to follow his Father. He became a living sacrifice who humbled himself and went to a cruel cross that all who believe and have faith in him as Messiah, Savior of all, will not be disappointed. Then as God's final seal of approval, He sent the Spirit to proclaim: "Look, these are the beloved children of God: see how pleased I am with them. I love how they serve me and passionately obey my voice."

This is our reality as we are hidden with Christ in God. Yet we often forsake our heritage or live far beneath our privileged place in Jesus, settling for food from the pig sty of this world rather than feasting upon the bread of life and drinking living water that we might have ears to hear our Lord and eyes to see the fields around us, ripe for the harvest. In each of our lives, people stand around or near "the well" ready to hear redemption's story, ready to surrender themselves to something better and more satisfying, ready to accept the gift God gave to a sick and dying world sitting in darkness. Today, dear Lord, open our eyes and our ears to see with new vision and to hear your call. The Holy Spirit leads us daily to the well of life where thirsty people will come to find water that satisfies the soul. Through faith in Christ and obedience to the Lord, we will joyfully provide wine and bread, food that restores and brings life eternal. Put aside all that hinders you and hurry to the thirsty with a wellspring of hope and peace in Christ our Lord. Hosanna, glory to God in the Highest!