Day 310: John 4, 5 and 6

Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest (John 4:35).

 

From 1970-1972, one of the highest rated TV shows (second only to All in the Family) was The Flip Wilson Show, the first successful variety show to be hosted by an African-American. Flip’s characters included Reggie the White House janitor, Geraldine (What you see is what you get!), and the Reverend Leroy and his Church of What’s Happenin’ Now.

When the disciples came back and were surprised to find Jesus speaking with the woman at the well, he took the opportunity as a teachable moment. Do you not have a saying: “Four months more and then the harvest”? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest (4:35).

Because they were making a lunch stop in Samaria on their way from Judea to Galilee, it never occurred to them to consider ministry in Sychar. Surely it would make more sense to aim for a successful ministry event in Capernaum. That’s where their headquarters and the bulk of their volunteers could be found. But here? Now? Hey, if you want to do ministry here, let’s do it right. Let’s do the demographics and lay the groundwork, and then put together a crusade.

The message for us? Don’t miss a good opportunity to share the Good News because you’re looking for the perfect opportunity to share the Good News. That perfect opportunity might never come.

What’s “Happenin’ Now” for you?