The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 4:38,
"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."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"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."
Who were the "others" who had done the hard work that Jesus' disciples reaped from? John Chrysostom, an important church father from the 4th to 5th centuries who served as archbishop of Constantinople, made the comment that those who sowed were the prophets of the Old Testament, and those to reap were the apostles.
In any event, I am mindful this morning of our current day perspective. When it comes to salvation, of course, we look back to Jesus who did all the heavy lifting in his earthly ministry culminating in his death on that miserable cross. This is surely the greatest of all things to reap today that was sowed for us two millennia ago - Jesus atoning for our sins making salvation possible.
Additionally, there have been so many wonderful believers over the ages that have done so much that we reap from today. Men and women who suffered much and demonstrate what it means to be devoted to the Lord. Men and women who have displayed what the Lord can do in our lives, men and women who have pointed the way, who have taught us, who inspire us in the Lord. Foxe's Book of Martyrs provides many examples for us.
It is just like our Lord to leave us wonderful examples through those who have preceded us, who have done the hard work. Examples that inspire us as we pursue the work the Lord has given us as he builds his kingdom.
Surely we stand on the shoulders of amazing hard workers that came before us, workers we benefit from today.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment