John 4:34-38

Once asked about her handicap of being born both blind and mute, Helen Keller replied, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”

This quote reminds me of an observation by author and minister E. Paul Hovey who said, “A blind man’s world is bounded by the limits of his touch; an ignorant man’s world by the limits of his knowledge: a great man’s world by the limits of his vision.”

In Jesus’ ministry He not only taught and equipped His disciples, but cast a vision of what their ministry would involve and how it would evolve.

There’s no better example than His interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4.

Both she and the disciples were surprised that He would publicly talk with a woman, which violated current cultural norms. Not only that she was a Samaritan. And also was immoral.

But Jesus had a greater vision. One day His message of life and light would be spread from Jerusalem, through Judea, Samaria, and from one end of the Roman Empire to the other (Ax. 1:8). The Gospel message would be for all people.

With this in mind Jesus offered the disciples, who were more concerned about Him eating, this challenge.

34 “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.
36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.
37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’
38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” (ESV)

Jesus’ call “to open their eyes” was an evangelistic challenge to see people differently. To see their worth. Their value. Their spiritual needs. To see the harvest before the seed was planted. To see the expanse of the Kingdom in ways they never imagined.

Later this Divine vision would provide them guidance in their ministry and infuse them with energy to “speak with all boldness.” To “obey God rather than men.” And “to turn the world upside down. It was a vision energized by the Gospel message of life, light and love.

Pastors, preachers and churches today need to recapture Jesus’ vision. It’s too easy to focus on the darkness of our culture, rather than the light we can shine upon it. To complain about wickedness instead of teaching and leading people into the way of righteousness. And to allow the culture to discourage us, instead of offering encouragement to change the culture around us.

The edict to “open your eyes” reminds us to see in the present what we look for in the future. To expand our vision. To see the harvest in the seed we plant. To change our perception of people, problems, and present circumstances. To see a brighter day.

Secondly, this text reminds us that all ministry is cooperative We’re in this together. The apostles had each other. The guidance of the Holy Spirit. And the abiding presence of their Lord. With faith in God’s promises, and the fellowship and mutual encouragement of one another, we can do more. With each one using their talents, gifts and abilities we can work together, sowing, watering, and reaping.

Thirdly, never underestimate what a new believer can accomplish. The Samaritan woman in the narrative with new and limited knowledge was telling her story, sharing her faith, and bringing people to Jesus. “Open your eyes” Jesus says. See what can be accomplished when your focus is on the spiritual instead of the material. On the soul instead of the flesh. On the eternal instead of the external.

Finally, never forget, God rewards our labor. He will bless our efforts. And His Word will not return void. Seed sown will accomplish His purpose.

What do you see? Who do you see? How do you see?

Do you see lost souls that you can reach? Opportunities that offer unseen potential? Do you see your personal responsibility to do what you can do?

J. Oswald Sanders was right when he wrote, “Eyes that look are common, eyes that see are rare.”

“Open your eyes.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman