According to 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, the "god of this world," our enemy otherwise known as satan, has blinded the minds of unbelievers. Blinded them to the gospel. In order to effectively share the gospel, we must exercise our authority by commanding the blinders to be removed!
But what about believers? Could it be that we are sporting our own special set of spiritual blinders? Could it be that we fail to see what’s right in front of our very eyes? Yes, indeed!
John 4:34-36 NIV 34"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35Do 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. 36Even 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.
This interaction between Jesus and his disciples occurred shortly after Jesus’ dealings with the “woman at the well.” You remember the story? Read the entire chapter for a refresher.
The disciples just didn’t get it. They were concerned about Jesus getting some lunch. Yet Jesus was concerned about the spiritual harvest that was right before them! What happened after Jesus said these things to his disciples? The people from the town came and many of them became believers!
The same kind of thing happened over in Matthew 9. (Read Matthew 9:35-Matthew 10:1) Even after Jesus spent time preaching the good news and healing the sick, he was MOVED WITH COMPASSION. Why? Because there were so many people and he knew he couldn't do it all alone. He said, "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray for 'HARVEST HANDS!'" But he didn't stop there, he proceeded to give them authority.
A lot of people think that if they just pray for the laborers, they are doing their part. NOT SO! Jesus said pray for the workers, but then he turned around and essentially said, "BE THE WORKERS!"
It's time for we as believers to open our eyes to the spiritual harvest right in front of us. What about the guy on the other side of the cubicle? What about the lady behind you in line at the supermarket? What about the student sitting across from you in class? Could their hearts be ripe for the harvest? Open your eyes and look!
For further reading along these lines, check out Luke 10:1-3!
