It is very important to do the right thing, but it is vital to do it at the right time. The time to harvest crops is perhaps the biggest decision a farmer will make. Too early, and the produce may not be mature and the yield will be reduced. Too late, and it may rot or be taken by animals and birds. Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that His arrival on earth marked the beginning of God's spiritual harvest. It appears that they had no sense of urgency, assuming it was good enough to teach and do miracles. But Jesus wanted to teach them that their future role was to reap, as well as sow the seed of the Word.

Jesus told them to open their eyes! There, all around them in Samaria, were many people who needed to hear and respond to the gospel. They already knew about God, and some were eager to find Him personally. So the disciples needed to change their mind-set and expect to find people who God had already prepared to believe in Jesus (like the Samaritan woman and many others in the town of Sychar). The trainee apostles were about to see that spiritual seed planted by Moses and the prophets was about to come to full fruit; and to ignore it would waste God's spiritual harvest.

Wherever we go, God is ripening His harvest of souls. Many people have heard enough to be drawn to Jesus. All they need is to know who He is, believe in Him and be saved. But many Christians do not see it. We need to open our eyes and see what God has been doing, preparing people to receive Jesus; and then realise that our task is to encourage them to do so. It is important to sow the seed, but it is vital to reap the souls. So ask the Lord to change your understanding, and recognise that He wants you to have a part in His harvest. Ask Him to open your eyes to see the harvest field; and ask Him to stir your heart so that you desire to reap as well as sow. And do not think that it can all wait until another time: the day of salvation is today (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).