Randy Boldt leads a very personal journey through the Gospel of John in a series of short videos designed to provide a daily devotional experience.

The John Project

Last time, we talked about how John 6 verses 5 and 6 show Jesus using a need – the hunger of thousands – to test faith. We learned that when God allows our faith to be challenged, His purpose is to INCREASE our spiritual health not deplete it. And we also learned that our Lord is ALWAYS in control of a trial’s outcome. He can be fully trusted. 
 
Now, verses 7 through 9 reveal three different types of response to this test of faith. Let’s see if we can find ourselves in them, and by comparing, discover a better way to handle the faith-trials WE encounter. 
 
Jesus had posed a question. “How are we going to feed all these people?” And the first response came from Philip. He whipped out his calculator, did the math, and reported to Jesus that there was no way they could AFFORD to buy anywhere close to enough food. He focused on the size of the need and said, “It’s too big.” 
 
Next up was Andrew. He came to Jesus with five barley loaves and two small fish he’d gotten from a kid who’d brought a lunch with him that day. But then, he asked his own question, “What are they among so many?” You see, he was focused on himself and was saying, “I don’t have enough.” 
 
But there’s another person involved in this episode, the boy with the lunch. And although the text doesn’t specifically say so, it clearly implies that this young man freely offered his loaves and fishes. They weren’t taken from him, they were given. And by doing so, he was demonstrating that he was focused on Jesus, and by his actions, saying, “I believe You can do anything.” 
 
Oh, the faith of a child! 
 
Dear Lord, when I next face a need that tests my faith, may my response be the simple childlike trust demonstrated by that young man. May my choice be not to focus on the size of the need or my own limited resources to meet it. Help me instead, to trust in the greatness of Who you are. May my heart’s cry be, “You can do anything!”

Last time, we talked about how John 6 verses 5 and 6 show Jesus using a need – the hunger of thousands – to test faith. We learned that when God allows our faith to be challenged, His purpose is to INCREASE our spiritual health not deplete it. And we also learned that our Lord is ALWAYS in control of a trial’s outcome. He can be fully trusted.

Now, verses 7 through 9 reveal three different types of response to this test of faith. Let’s see if we can find ourselves in them, and by comparing, discover a better way to handle the faith-trials WE encounter.

Jesus had posed a question. “How are we going to feed all these people?” And the first response came from Philip. He whipped out his calculator, did the math, and reported to Jesus that there was no way they could AFFORD to buy anywhere close to enough food. He focused on the size of the need and said, “It’s too big.”

Next up was Andrew. He came to Jesus with five barley loaves and two small fish he’d gotten from a kid who’d brought a

John 6:7-9 • The Faith of a Child

John chapter 6 opens with an account of the occasion when Jesus fed thousands of people with only five loaves and two fish. Pretty exciting stuff! But before going any further, I’d like to focus on just the first three words of verse one, “After these things…” Why? Because there’s ALWAYS a backstory. And this phrase lets us know there’s a context for what follows. 
 
The first four verses of the chapter set up the “loaves and fishes” story by giving us the time of year and the location where it happened. We’re told that it was springtime just before Passover and in a deserted area across the Sea of Galilee. 
 
But by saying, “after these things,” John lets us know there’s even more to the story and implies that we should consider these additional details. He makes it clear they’re worth digging for. 
 
And we don’t have to search far. The other three Gospels – especially Mark – fill in the six-month gap between John chapters five and six. And we find out that there was a reason Jesus had taken His disciples across the lake. He was leading them to a wilderness area for some rest. They were all dealing with the emotional impact of John the Baptist being beheaded by Herod. The Disciples had just returned from their first ministry tours and needed debriefing. And the intensifying of Jesus’s miracle ministry was creating so much activity that we’re told they didn’t even have time to eat. 
 
So that’s why they crossed the lake. And it makes a difference to know that, doesn’t it? 
 
In a very crude way, it’s like this sign here. Unless you take the time to stop and read it, you probably wouldn’t give this tree a second thought. But if you do, you find out that it was brought to this island by a sea captain from a distant port and planted here more than a hundred and fifty years ago. There’s a backstory. And digging for it makes a difference in how you see the tree. 
 
And that’s true for people too. There’s ALWAYS a backstory. 
 
But we usually interact with others based on the superficial. We rarely stop to even think that there may be more to consider. 
 
And this is especially true for how we relate to ourselves. We waste so much of our emotional resources focused on our surface issues instead of asking Jesus, “What’s the backstory here?” But if we did, we’d be much more likely to discover the context for what He’s trying to deal with in our lives and be better able to cooperate with Him as He brings us healing and deliverance. 
 
So, I encourage you today, when you find yourself wrestling with the “stuff” in your life – and you know what I mean – ask the Lord to help you see the backstory. Stop ignoring the real issues while whining about what you think God should be doing to help you but isn’t. And be willing instead to stop and read the signs that reveal how these things got rooted in your life in the first place. Then, you’ll be better able to allow the Lord to set you up for what comes “after these things.”

John chapter 6 opens with an account of the occasion when Jesus fed thousands of people with only five loaves and two fish. Pretty exciting stuff! But before going any further, I’d like to focus on just the first three words of verse one, “After these things…” Why? Because there’s ALWAYS a backstory. And this phrase lets us know there’s a context for what follows.

The first four verses of the chapter set up the “loaves and fishes” story by giving us the time of year and the location where it happened. We’re told that it was springtime just before Passover and in a deserted area across the Sea of Galilee.

But by saying, “after these things,” John lets us know there’s even more to the story and implies that we should consider these additional details. He makes it clear they’re worth digging for.

And we don’t have to search far. The other three Gospels – especially Mark – fill in the six-month gap between John chapters five and six. And we find out that there was a reason Jesus had tak

John 6:1-4 • There’s Always a Backstory

In John 5 verses 25 and 26, Jesus begins to describe something happening at that very moment that will also happen at a time yet to come. He’s talking about dead people coming to life. And He starts by saying the Hebrew word, “amen,” twice. This is sometimes translated as, “verily, verily” or “truly, truly,” or “most assuredly.” The Lord uses this introduction method 25 different times in John’s Gospel when He wants to underscore what follows. It’s as though He’s saying, “There’s nothing more true than this.” In other words, He wants us to pay VERY close attention to what He’s about to say. 
 
Now, we’ll wait until we get to verse 28 to look at its implications for what He describes as, “the hour that is coming.” But for now, I’d like to focus on the impact of this regarding what he calls the hour that, “now is.” 
 
He tells us that right now the dead who hear His voice will live. And yes, every time the Gospels tell us about Jesus raising a physically dead person to life, He’s described as speaking to them first or CALLING them back to life. But I think it’s clear from the context of this passage, that He was referring to those who are spiritually dead being made spiritually alive. And this is possible, He says, because He has, “life in Himself.” 
 
And that’s the point. 
 
None of us can engineer our own spiritual resuscitation. Only He’s qualified for that job. And that’s because He defeated death on the cross and then rose again for us. 
 
Still, many of us try to administer spiritual CPR to ourselves. 
 
Now behind me is a busy emergency room at a local hospital. And CPR or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation is a frequent occurrence within those walls. It’s a method for attempting to restart someone’s heart when they’ve suffered a cardiac arrest. But you can’t do it for yourself. In fact, you can’t be more INCAPABLE of helping yourself than when you’re in that state. It requires someone who HAS life to offer it to the one who DOESN’T. 
 
And when it comes our spirits, we are COMPLETELY dependent on Jesus to do that. Not only is spiritual self-help ineffective, it’s IMPOSSIBLE. None of us can offer life to ourselves. 
 
So, if you long to become fully alive, let me tenderly invite you to stop the insanity of trying to do it yourself. Instead, just respond to the voice of the One calling you to life.

In John 5 verses 25 and 26, Jesus begins to describe something happening at that very moment that will also happen at a time yet to come. He’s talking about dead people coming to life. And He starts by saying the Hebrew word, “amen,” twice. This is sometimes translated as, “verily, verily” or “truly, truly,” or “most assuredly.” The Lord uses this introduction method 25 different times in John’s Gospel when He wants to underscore what follows. It’s as though He’s saying, “There’s nothing more true than this.” In other words, He wants us to pay VERY close attention to what He’s about to say.

Now, we’ll wait until we get to verse 28 to look at its implications for what He describes as, “the hour that is coming.” But for now, I’d like to focus on the impact of this regarding what he calls the hour that, “now is.”

He tells us that right now the dead who hear His voice will live. And yes, every time the Gospels tell us about Jesus raising a physically dead person to life, He’s described a

John 5:25-26 • Spiritual CPR

In John 5 verses 27-29, Jesus describes His role as our judge. In the preceding two verses He referred to Himself as the Son of God who can right now offer spiritual life to those dead in their sins if they will simply respond to His voice calling them to faith. But here, as He describes a future occasion when His voice will call all those who have died physically to either a “resurrection of life” or a “resurrection of condemnation,” He says His authority to execute this judgment is on the basis of what the Father has given Him as the Son of Man. And this change in title is worth noting. 
 
Jesus is both Son of God and Son of Man. He is fully divine and fully human. And this is what uniquely qualifies Him to be both eternal-life-giver, and judge. As Son of God, He personally paid the penalty for our sin so we could have the payment of His suffering and death applied to our record by faith. And as Son of Man, He victoriously stared down every kind of temptation and has first-hand knowledge of every form of human experience so that as judge, He alone has the righteous authority to administer it. 
 
When those who have refused to receive His offer of salvation during their lifetimes stand before Him on that future day of judgment, there will be no excuse, no alibi, no defense. But if you’re hearing me say this, that doesn’t have to be your story. 
 
In verse 29, there’s a very wonderful and hope-filled use of two different Greek words that are often translated by the same English word, “done,” or “did.” Jesus says that the resurrections of life and condemnation are the result of having “done” good or “done” evil. But, He’s not saying that a person’s eternal destiny is based on whether or not they’ve racked up sufficient good-works points. Ephesian 2:8 & 9 make this crystal clear. 
 
The word translated, “done,” in the first instance describes a one-time act. In the second, the word is about something habitually done. The Lord is saying that with one act, placing our faith in His saving grace, we can insure our “resurrection of life” and wipe out the consequences of habitually turning our backs on Him. 
 
Now that’s good news! If you haven’t yet, receive it. And if you have, share it.

In John 5 verses 27-29, Jesus describes His role as our judge. In the preceding two verses He referred to Himself as the Son of God who can right now offer spiritual life to those dead in their sins if they will simply respond to His voice calling them to faith. But here, as He describes a future occasion when His voice will call all those who have died physically to either a “resurrection of life” or a “resurrection of condemnation,” He says His authority to execute this judgment is on the basis of what the Father has given Him as the Son of Man. And this change in title is worth noting.

Jesus is both Son of God and Son of Man. He is fully divine and fully human. And this is what uniquely qualifies Him to be both eternal-life-giver, and judge. As Son of God, He personally paid the penalty for our sin so we could have the payment of His suffering and death applied to our record by faith. And as Son of Man, He victoriously stared down every kind of temptation and has first-hand knowled

John 5:27-29 • The Resurrection of Life

In John 5 verse 24, after emphatically declaring to the Jewish leaders that He is co-equal with the Heavenly Father, Jesus goes on to say that FOR anyone who responds to His message by believing in the Father, three things become true: Something has already happened, something will never happen, and something is happening right now. But before we look a little closer at these, let’s make sure we understand what He meant by believing in the Father. 
 
The Greek word translated as, “believes,” in this verse, is a word that conveys more than just concluding that the design of a chair, for instance, could support your weight. This word is about the action that FLOWS from that conclusion and results in actually putting your butt in the seat. It’s about trust, and trust that results in commitment. 
 
Jesus was calling these leaders, everyone overhearing that conversation, and all who have heard these words since to take action on what they’ve heard and place the full weight of their faith on Him. And if that describes you, I’ve got some excellent news. 
 
First, you have already, as Jesus said, “passed from death into life.” The spiritual death that was the result of your sin is now behind you – forgiven, cleansed, covered – and up ahead as far as you can see is the gift of life that God gives His kids. 
 
Second, you will never experience judgement, not now, or at any time in the future. No matter how hard the Devil may try to bring you under condemnation, according to Romans 8 verse 1, that shame no longer has your name on it. 
 
And third, you ARE living in the stream of “everlasting life” right now. And Jesus wasn’t just talking about its duration – how long it lasts. He was talking about the type of life it is. This verse employs the Greek word, zoe, which the New Testament uses to describe the kind of life God has – deeper, richer in every way than mere existence or anything this world can offer. 
 
All of this is yours as a result of your faith in Christ. Dear one, live every minute of this day in the awareness of that. 
 
OH! And if by chance you haven’t yet become a believer, what are you waiting for? Put your butt in the seat.

In John 5 verse 24, after emphatically declaring to the Jewish leaders that He is co-equal with the Heavenly Father, Jesus goes on to say that FOR anyone who responds to His message by believing in the Father, three things become true: Something has already happened, something will never happen, and something is happening right now. But before we look a little closer at these, let’s make sure we understand what He meant by believing in the Father.

The Greek word translated as, “believes,” in this verse, is a word that conveys more than just concluding that the design of a chair, for instance, could support your weight. This word is about the action that FLOWS from that conclusion and results in actually putting your butt in the seat. It’s about trust, and trust that results in commitment.

Jesus was calling these leaders, everyone overhearing that conversation, and all who have heard these words since to take action on what they’ve heard and place the full weight of their faith on Him

John 5:24 • Put Your Butt in the Seat

In John chapter 5 verse 17, Jesus responds to the Jewish religious leaders who have determined that He deserves the death penalty because He healed a man on the Sabbath Day. And He does so by making two things clear. One, that He is the Son of God. And two, that He was only doing what His Father has been and continues doing: working. 
 
Yes, Genesis, the first book of the Bible, tells us that God rested on the seventh day. And no, Jesus wasn’t undermining the example God was setting by that or the commands and vital principals of Sabbath-keeping. But He was stating the obvious: that on the seventh day, God rested from His creation work, but not from being the God whose ongoing activity sustains all things. 
 
In other words, Jesus was reminding them that the throne of God is not a lounge chair. 
 
And in doing so, He was silencing the lie that God is somehow disconnected, unconcerned, or uninvolved with us. Contrary to those who imagine God like a divine watch-maker who wound up His creation, let it go, and then moved on to another project, Jesus was describing God as intensely engaged with His universe. And it’s clear from the context, that He meant for us to understand that God never ceases to be interested in, involved with, and engaged with us. 
 
Now, behind me is a construction project. New homes are being built in my neighborhood. But as you can see the construction workers have all gone home after putting in their day's labor. 
 
God is not like that. He's never off the job. 
 
Now I know, because I’m a target of the Devil’s lies just like you, that we can frequently be subjected to the temptation to feel like God has abandoned us or at least has temporarily lost interest in what we’re facing or going through. But that is not the truth, and that’s exactly why John 5:17 is so important to hang onto. 
 
Our Savior stood up in the face of the murderous persecution of the Scribes and Pharisees to emphatically declare that no matter what, He is continually and purposefully working on our behalf. Let's allow that assurance to dispel every shadow of doubt about our Savior's presence and engagement with us today.

In John chapter 5 verse 17, Jesus responds to the Jewish religious leaders who have determined that He deserves the death penalty because He healed a man on the Sabbath Day. And He does so by making two things clear. One, that He is the Son of God. And two, that He was only doing what His Father has been and continues doing: working.

Yes, Genesis, the first book of the Bible, tells us that God rested on the seventh day. And no, Jesus wasn’t undermining the example God was setting by that or the commands and vital principals of Sabbath-keeping. But He was stating the obvious: that on the seventh day, God rested from His creation work, but not from being the God whose ongoing activity sustains all things.

In other words, Jesus was reminding them that the throne of God is not a lounge chair.

And in doing so, He was silencing the lie that God is somehow disconnected, unconcerned, or uninvolved with us. Contrary to those who imagine God like a divine watch-maker who wound up His creation

John 5:17 • He’s Never off the Job

Alright, let’s continue our consideration of Jesus’ healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda. And let’s remember that after 38 years of sickness, this man was clearly not dying, but he wasn’t really living either. So, Jesus entered the scene of his brokenness, and in the form of a simple question, offered him the opportunity to be restored to his intended state. 
 
Then, in John five verse eight, the Lord gave him three steps to wholeness. And the first of these was to “rise,” which we discussed last time. 
 
After that, Jesus said, “take up your bed…” In other words, he tells him that if he wants to experience true healing, he’s going to have to pack up his campsite. 
 
For many years now, I’ve enjoyed watching a reality TV show called, “Survivor.” The contestants try to avoid being eliminated from the game until there are only three players left. Then, those who’ve been forced to leave the game, vote for a winner from the three survivors. But before that vote, the final three players will almost always burn down the camp they’ve been living in during the game. And they do that as a dramatic statement of the fact that they will not be coming back. 
 
Something very similar is embedded in the Lord’s statement here. He’s telling the man that if he’s going to actually LIVE in the healing being offering, he’s going to have to eliminate the possibility of coming back to Bethesda. 
 
Why is this important? Because we all prefer the security of a KNOWN past – even if it’s uncomfortable – over the uncertainties of an UNKNOWN future. And for this man who has been sick his entire life, a future of wholeness – as desirable as it may be – is filled with uncertainties. So, unless he removes the possibility, in those times when his healing is challenged in some way, he will be vulnerable to the temptation to return to the twisted familiarity of what he knows. 
 
Now there’s also the issue of identity. I think it’s clear by what this man says to Jesus that he had come to see himself through the lens of his unhealth, and had begun to define himself by it. You know, there’s a huge difference between someone thinking of themselves as a person who HAS a struggle with alcohol and as someone who IS an alcoholic. And the Devil has a lot of expertise for exploiting our issues and convincing us to label ourselves by them. And that make us less available to healing. 
 
In a sense, Jesus is telling him that as long as he has his sick bed to go back to, he will be vulnerable to the temptation to think of himself AS sick instead of as a man who HAD an illness but is now whole. 
 
On top of that, every form of human brokenness has a support structure that’s been built around it: Like friends and family who enable the unhealth, habits that have developed, distorted assumptions, etc. And unless that structure is dismantled, the gravitational pull can be overwhelming. For instance, if a person is freed by Jesus from a pornography addiction, unless that person is also willing to tear down their well-worn pathways for accessing porn, it will be too easy to slide back into the familiar. 
 
So, we have before us a critical component in the process of healing Jesus wants to bring to your life and mine. Just like the man at the pool, He’s asking if we want to be made well. And if so, He says it will REQUIRE us to be ruthless about cutting off every route back to brokenness. 
 
Are YOU ready to take up YOUR bed? Dear one, Jesus is with you right now, and ready to give you the clarity, the courage, and the strength you need to do it.

Alright, let’s continue our consideration of Jesus’ healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda. And let’s remember that after 38 years of sickness, this man was clearly not dying, but he wasn’t really living either. So, Jesus entered the scene of his brokenness, and in the form of a simple question, offered him the opportunity to be restored to his intended state.

Then, in John five verse eight, the Lord gave him three steps to wholeness. And the first of these was to “rise,” which we discussed last time.

After that, Jesus said, “take up your bed…” In other words, he tells him that if he wants to experience true healing, he’s going to have to pack up his campsite.

For many years now, I’ve enjoyed watching a reality TV show called, “Survivor.” The contestants try to avoid being eliminated from the game until there are only three players left. Then, those who’ve been forced to leave the game, vote for a winner from the three survivors. But before that vote, the final three players wil

John 5:8 • Take up Your Bed

The final nine verses of John chapter four provide us with the record of Jesus healing the nobleman’s son. And among other things, it teaches us a very important lesson about faith. 
There are actually three types of faith on display in this passage. 
The first is what I call “what-have-I-got-to-lose” faith. And it’s based on what Jesus might do. It’s the kind of faith the nobleman exercised when he traveled all the way from Capernaum to Cana to see if Jesus could help his dying son. And it’s the kind of faith that motivates our desperate prayers for help when we find ourselves facing challenging circumstances. It’s not very deeply rooted, but it is a form of faith most of us can relate to. 
Another of the kinds of faith on display in this account is what I call “what-an-amazing-God-we-have” faith. And it’s based on what Jesus has done. It’s the kind of faith described in verse 53 and experienced by the nobleman after receiving the news that his son had been healed. This is the kind of exultant, shout-it-from-the-rooftop faith we all hope to experience as we rejoice in the answer to a prayer. It’s an easy kind of faith that erupts unbidden from our grateful hearts. 
And all of us hope that we will be able to jump directly from “what-have-I-got-to-lose” faith to “what-an-amazing-God-we-have” faith. We want our desperate cries to God to always result in immediate and triumphant answers to our prayers. 
But most of the time, a third type of faith needs to be exercised in the space between the other two. I call it “what-am-I-going-to-do” faith. And it’s based on what Jesus has said. It’s the kind of faith the nobleman exercised when he chose to obey Jesus’s command to return home trusting to be true what Jesus said about his son having been healed. This is a much more mature faith, and demands more of us spiritually. But it’s the kind of faith God is always seeking to develop in us when we face life’s trials. 
I can’t know what types of challenges you’re facing today. But I do know that they provide you with an opportunity to hold tightly to God’s Word, to trust it, to act on it, and to discover what an amazing God we have.

The final nine verses of John chapter four provide us with the record of Jesus healing the nobleman’s son. And among other things, it teaches us a very important lesson about faith.
There are actually three types of faith on display in this passage.
The first is what I call “what-have-I-got-to-lose” faith. And it’s based on what Jesus might do. It’s the kind of faith the nobleman exercised when he traveled all the way from Capernaum to Cana to see if Jesus could help his dying son. And it’s the kind of faith that motivates our desperate prayers for help when we find ourselves facing challenging circumstances. It’s not very deeply rooted, but it is a form of faith most of us can relate to.
Another of the kinds of faith on display in this account is what I call “what-an-amazing-God-we-have” faith. And it’s based on what Jesus has done. It’s the kind of faith described in verse 53 and experienced by the nobleman after receiving the news that his son had been healed. This is the kind of ex

John 4:46-54 • Three Types of Faith

In John chapter 4 verses 39-42, we’re told that many people from the city of Sycar became believers because of the testimony of the Samaritan woman. And, hallelujah, may we all have that kind of gospel impact on our communities. But, it goes on to say that many more came to faith in Christ because they heard Him for themselves. And then, the passage closes by making it clear that, really, all of the people put their faith in Jesus because they met Him personally. 
 
And that makes me think about the tendency of Christians that’s as old as the church itself to insert a layer of “celebrity” ministers or “professional” Christians into a space between us and Jesus. Here’s what I mean. 
 
I think all of us know what it’s like to be deeply impacted by the ministry of a great Christian leader, speaker, teacher, pastor, writer, or worship musician. And that’s wonderful unless the result is that we start allowing our relationship with Jesus to be THROUGH them. 
 
I’m standing here by this film lighting gear because a movie scene is being shot just behind me over there at a location near my home. And as I was walking by, I was reminded of this topic. 
 
When I watch a movie, I experience a story THROUGH the talent and skill of professionals: actors, writers, directors, camera operators, etc. But I can’t let my Christian life become like that, where I’m experiencing the unfolding story of my relationship with Jesus THROUGH the talent, skill, or even the calling and anointing of anyone else. It’s got to be PERSONAL. 
 
May our lives be richly blessed by the devotion of prominent and influential Christian leaders, but let’s make sure to have a “first-person,” “real-time” relationship with Jesus today.

In John chapter 4 verses 39-42, we’re told that many people from the city of Sycar became believers because of the testimony of the Samaritan woman. And, hallelujah, may we all have that kind of gospel impact on our communities. But, it goes on to say that many more came to faith in Christ because they heard Him for themselves. And then, the passage closes by making it clear that, really, all of the people put their faith in Jesus because they met Him personally.

And that makes me think about the tendency of Christians that’s as old as the church itself to insert a layer of “celebrity” ministers or “professional” Christians into a space between us and Jesus. Here’s what I mean.

I think all of us know what it’s like to be deeply impacted by the ministry of a great Christian leader, speaker, teacher, pastor, writer, or worship musician. And that’s wonderful unless the result is that we start allowing our relationship with Jesus to be THROUGH them.

I’m standing here by this film lighti

John 4:39-42 • It’s Got to be Personal

In John chapter 4 verse 35, Jesus asked His disciples a question. He said, “Don’t you guys have a saying, ‘There are still four months, and then comes the harvest?’” And then He went on to say, “But I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields. They are already white for harvest.” And of course, He was talking about the crowds of people that were right at that very moment on their way to Him from the city of Sycar to hear Him preach the gospel. And right away, it’s clear that Jesus sees the harvest of souls differently than most of us do. 
 
Most of us, when we think about the people in the circles of our lives’ influence coming to faith, we think of it as a future event, something we are still working toward, that are we still planting, and watering, and feeding, and pruning. There’s work to be done. But Jesus said, “No.” He said, “Others have sown, others have labored. You get to reap. The harvest is now.” 
 
Now the other day, one of my grandsons who’s almost three was with me. And I asked him to show me the vegetable garden that had helped his other set of grandparents plant on a fenced off area on their property. And so, we were on our way walking there. And getting close enough that I could see the rows of vegetables and flowers even though we weren’t close enough for me to see the signs that indicated which variety was which, I could tell the tomato plants. And I could see that there were a lot of green tomatoes. And I thought to myself, “You know, they’re going to have a sizable harvest of tomatoes in a little bit.” 
 
And right about that point, my grandson who’d been walking right by my side, took off like a bolt of lightning and ran for those tomato plants. And before I knew it, he’d grabbed hold of the only red, ripe tomato in the bunch, pulled it off the plant, and ate it in about three bites. And I was like stunned. I thought, “Woah! Did I just witness my grandson eat a tomato of his own free will without being forced to?” And then, when I got passed the shock of that little statistic, I thought, “You know, I never even saw the red tomato.” But my grandson, that’s the only one he saw. 
 
I think that when Jesus surveys the planting of His gospel garden He tends to focus on the red ones. I want to do more of that too.

In John chapter 4 verse 35, Jesus asked His disciples a question. He said, “Don’t you guys have a saying, ‘There are still four months, and then comes the harvest?’” And then He went on to say, “But I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields. They are already white for harvest.” And of course, He was talking about the crowds of people that were right at that very moment on their way to Him from the city of Sycar to hear Him preach the gospel. And right away, it’s clear that Jesus sees the harvest of souls differently than most of us do.

Most of us, when we think about the people in the circles of our lives’ influence coming to faith, we think of it as a future event, something we are still working toward, that are we still planting, and watering, and feeding, and pruning. There’s work to be done. But Jesus said, “No.” He said, “Others have sown, others have labored. You get to reap. The harvest is now.”

Now the other day, one of my grandsons who’s almost three was with me

John 4:35-38 • The Red Ones

John 4:31-34 
In the meantime, His disciples urged Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." But He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know...My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work."

John 4:31-34
In the meantime, His disciples urged Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." But He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know...My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work."

John 4:31-34

John 4:28-29 
The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"

John 4:28-29
The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"

John 4:28

John 4:6 
...Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

John 4:6
...Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

John 4:6

John 4:3-4 
He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria.

John 4:3-4
He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria.

John 4:1-4

John 3:34 
...For God does not give the Spirit by measure.

John 3:34 ...For God does not give the Spirit by measure.

John 3:32-36

John 3:31 
He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

John 3:31
He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

John 3:31

John 3:29 
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.

John 3:29
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.

John 3:29

John 3:28 
You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, "I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him."

John 3:28
You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, "I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him."

John 3:28

John 3:27 
John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

John 3:27
John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

John 3:27

John 3:18-21 
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

John 3:18-21
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

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