John 5:37-47 ESV

For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

HIS WORKS AND WORDS

The Bible never calls on anyone to express "blind faith," which is belief without evidence. Jesus has provided exactly what the Jewish legal system required. Namely, three witnesses to support a claim (Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6). Thus, aside from the human witness of John the Baptist, Jesus added that His works and words were witnesses too that proved His claim as the Son of God.

The miracles that Jesus did were powerful evidences that He is divine. Yet, they still refused to recognize him. Thy search the Scriptures but they refuse to recognize that He is the prophesied Messiah. After His resurection, He clearly explained that the scriptures is all about Him. He said, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”[Luke 24:27] Jesus wont accuse them before the Father, but Moses, that is, his writings would condemn them someday.

However strong are these testimonies, they’re lost on Jesus' critics. According to Jesus, these men have never heard the voice of God. They certainly knew the words and letters of the Law, so how is it possible that they didn't recognize Jesus?

The answer is in one human beings naturally reject, but which experience tells us is true: "knowledge" is not the same as "faith." James, for example, makes the point that merely knowing about God is not the same as having saving faith in God (James 2:14, 19) Evidences won't necessarily produce obedience or trust.

They are more interested in their own traditions (Matthew 15:6), power (John 11:48), and prestige (John 9:34) than the truth. So, even though they've been given all the evidence they need (John 9:41), they do not—they will not—believe (John 5:40)

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John 5:30-35 ESV

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John.

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30 “Hindi ako makakagawa ng anuman mula sa aking sarili. Humahatol ako ayon sa aking naririnig, at ang paghatol ko'y matuwid, sapagkat hindi ko hinahanap ang aking sariling kalooban kundi ang kalooban ng nagsugo sa akin. 31 Kung ako'y nagpapatotoo para sa aking sarili, ang patotoo ko ay hindi totoo. 32 Iba ang nagpapatotoo para sa akin at alam ko na ang patotoo niya para sa akin ay totoo. 33 Kayo'y nagpadala ng sugo kay Juan, at siya'y nagpatotoo sa katotohanan. 34 Hindi sa tinatanggap ko ang patotoong mula sa tao, subalit sinasabi ko ang mga bagay na ito upang kayo'y maligtas. 35 Siya ang ilawang nagniningas at lumiliwanag, at ninais ninyong kayo'y magalak sumandali sa kanyang liwanag. 36 Subalit mayroon akong patotoo na lalong dakila kaysa kay Juan. Ang mga gawaing ibinigay sa akin ng aking Ama upang ganapin, ang mga gawaing ito na aking ginagawa ay nagpapatotoo tungkol sa akin na ako'y sinugo ng Ama.

THE HUMAN WITNESS

There are unknown things that only Jesus and God know.[Deut 29:29] Jesus said, ““Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.”[John 8:14]

But, there are truths known because they are revealed by Jesus. But, for truth to be accepted, it must be substantiated, must it not? Two or three witnesses were needed to consider something reliable (Deut 17:6; Num 35:30). Jesus does not appeal to "blind faith," or naked trust, when He is challenged. On the contrary, He recognizes the need for evidence (John 5:31, 34) so that He provided even examples.

The first witness is John the Baptist. Earlier, the Pharisees had sent investigators to him. True to his calling, he had pointed those men away from himself and towards the Promised One, would later make clear was Jesus (John 1:19 –31).

Jesus acknowledges that "John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light."[v.35 NIV] Here, Jesus refers him as "a" light, somewhat like a moon which only reflects” The true light is Jesus. That is, John's entire purpose was to point people towards Jesus (John 1:8–9).

Today, Jesus has been testified by the countless witnesses. As Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The Spirit has been producing ‘witnesses’ , that is martyrs for Christ. That is, people know that Jesus is real by the transformed lives of His people. If people, especially the disciples, did sacrifice their lives for Jesus, He must be true. One won’t die for a liar.

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John 5:25-29 ESV

25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

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25 Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo, dumarating ang oras at ngayon na nga, na maririnig ng patay ang tinig ng Anak ng Diyos at ang makarinig ay mabubuhay. 26 Sapagkat kung paanong ang Ama ay may buhay sa kanyang sarili, ay pinagkalooban din niya ang Anak na magkaroon ng buhay sa kanyang sarili. 27 At siya'y binigyan niya ng kapangyarihang humatol sapagkat siya'y Anak ng Tao. 28 Huwag ninyong ipagtaka ito, sapagkat dumarating ang oras na ang lahat ng nasa libingan ay makakarinig ng kanyang tinig, 29 at magsisilabas, ang mga gumawa ng mabuti ay tungo sa pagkabuhay na muli sa buhay, at ang mga gumawa ng masama ay tungo sa pagkabuhay na muli sa kahatulan.

POWER OVER DEATH UNTO LIFE

Due to Adam’s fall, everyone of us is dead before God. Paul said, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”[Rom 5:12] Unless God won’t take the initiative, man by himself is hopeless before God. We are doomed as captives to the enemy are as Paul described, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”[Eph 2:1-3]

But, Jesus came in order to ignite hope. The time has come that ‘the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.’ Jesus is the life [John 1:4; John 14:6] He and the Father are both the giver and judge of everyone’s life.[John 3:16]

It should be noted that the title ‘Son of Man’ carries great weight in the Jewish worldview. Daniel 7:13–14 presents a vision of a Promised One, in the form of a man, but with all the power and authority of God. This figure is referred to as "one like a son of man," and this phrase was commonly used as a reference to the Messiah. When used in this kind of context, the phrase "Son of Man" is not just a claim to power, but to prophecy and divinity.

Sadly, many Jews won’t accept His message. They accuse Him of blasphemy, for maintaining that He is neither the Messiah, nor the Son of God.

Man, having been condemned in sin already[John 3:36] is spiraling down to the abyss of eternal judgment in hell. But, God in His love had provided a detour. Jesus is the way out. Didn’t He promise that He is only way, truth and life to the Father?[John 14:6] Nobody could escape, enroute back to God apart from Jesus. Man has arrived to the fork of the road whereby he has given the opportunity to choose either Jesus or remain in his state of death.

Someday, everyone, for all dead will be resurrected, will meet Him at the final judgment day.[see Rev 20:11–15] Thus He said, “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”

John 5:19-24 ESV

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

ONE WITH THE FATHER

When Jesus says, "truly, truly I say to you"—He is claiming to know these things firsthand, personally, and directly. The relationship between Jesus, the Son, and God, the Father, is one of perfect harmony. In this extended discussion Jesus explained to the religious leaders some of the nature of His relationship and work with God the Father.

The problem facing the Pharisees and Sadducees was spiritual blindness (Matt 23:17). This blindness created a wall of separation between them and God. Consequently, their actions and attitudes did not reflect but had contradicted the purpose and plan of God.

Jesus, on the other hand, is in a state of communion with God. Firstly, His actions are identical to the will of God.(John 5:19,20). The signs and wonders He did were done in accordance with the will of the Father. He said, “For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.”[v.21]

Secondly, both Father and Son are one in judgment. He said, “For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.” [v.22] He the power of divine judgment. This same thought will be repeated in verse 27. Since God's sovereignty includes the right to judge all things [Gen 18:25], Jesus has the right to issue verdicts as God the Father sanctions. This is a foreshadowing to Christ's eventual judgment of all mankind (Rev 20:11–15).

Thirdly, he is honored as the Father. “All may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him”[v.23]. Since Jesus is owed the same honor as the Father, no one who reject the Son—Jesus Christ—and claim to be right with the Father. This aligns the claim that He is the one and only way to be reconciled with God (John 3:16, 36; 14:6). Both calling Jesus only as one of many ways to God and lowering Him to somebody less than divine, like calling Him a "good teacher" will dishonor Him.

In summary, as one with the Father, those who believe Christ has believed the Father as well. He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” [v.24] Conversely, he who rejects the Son do reject the Father as well. Thereby, they will remain in death and will receive the judgment .

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John 5:15-18 ESV

15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

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15 Umalis ang lalaki at ibinalita sa mga Judio na si Jesus ang nagpagaling sa kanya. 16 Dahil dito'y inusig ng mga Judio si Jesus sapagkat ginagawa niya ang mga bagay na ito sa araw ng Sabbath. 17 Subalit sinagot sila ni Jesus, “Hanggang ngayo'y patuloy sa paggawa ang aking Ama, at ako'y patuloy rin sa paggawa.” 18 Dahil dito ay lalong pinagsikapan ng mga Judio na siya'y patayin sapagkat hindi lamang nilabag niya ang araw ng Sabbath, kundi tinatawag din na kanyang sariling Ama ang Diyos, at ginagawa ang sarili niya na kapantay ng Diyos.

EQUALITY WITH GOD

Like the Samaritan woman, the healed man left after his meeting Jesus and told the Jews about Him. It’s quite strange and sad that they persecuted Jesus for doing good because it was Sabbath. Let’s beware not to fall into an attitude of bigotry and useless dogmatism.

In answer to His critics, Jesus claims not only that God is His Father, but that He is working just as God is working. They understood exactly what He was implying. That is, the work He is doing is equivalent to the work done by God. This claim had added more fuel to their already angered heart. His violation to their traditional views of the Sabbath was enough reason for His persecution. Moreover, Jesus has even raised the stakes further. They sought to kill Him because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. If that's not true, it's blasphemy. This fueled more anger among the Jews.

The Son of Man is the lord of the Sabbath. [Matt 12:8] There is no wonder that He is not bound with days and traditions. He has authority for He is divine. Later in another encounter, the Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”[John 10:31-33]

John 5:9b-14 ESV

Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”

Noon nga'y araw ng Sabbath. 10 Kaya't sinabi ng mga Judio sa taong pinagaling, “Ngayo'y araw ng Sabbath, at hindi ipinahihintulot na buhatin mo ang iyong higaan.” 11 Ngunit sila'y sinagot niya, “Ang nagpagaling sa akin ang siyang nagsabi sa akin, ‘Buhatin mo ang iyong higaan, at lumakad ka.’” 12 Siya'y kanilang tinanong, “Sino ang taong nagsabi sa iyo, ‘Buhatin mo ang iyong higaan at lumakad ka?’” 13 Ngunit hindi nakilala ng taong pinagaling kung sino iyon, sapagkat si Jesus ay umalis na sa maraming tao na naroroon. 14 Pagkatapos ay natagpuan siya ni Jesus sa templo, at sinabi sa kanya, “Tingnan mo, ikaw ay gumaling na; huwag ka nang magkasala, baka may mangyari pa sa iyo na lalong masama.”

SIN NO MORE

The man’s healing had caused a stir when he rolled his mat and walked away. The Jews had apprehended and reprimanded him, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” When John uses the Greek term Ioudaioi, translated as "the Jews," he is referring to the spiritual leaders of Jerusalem, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees. It’s strange that these people were too legalistic that they were not happy that the miserable man could walk after 38 years of being invalid. Let’s beware of legalism.

The man seemed not to care. Didn’t he blame Jesus who he did not know by saying, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” His healing happened even by just believing a stranger’s command. He met Jesus in a brief moment. There was no introduction of who Jesus was. And after his healing, Jesus mingled with the crowd unnoticed.

Then, they met again at the temple. In this second meeting, Jesus commanded him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” Perhaps his disability was the result of ungodly personal choices. At the same time, Jesus may simply be reminding the man that there are worse things than being crippled, including the eternal penalties of sin (Luke 12:4–5). Simply said, he was healed to live for God. Physical healing is not the most important thing but our spiritual healing.

Let’s not forget that God’s blessings given unto us are our promptings to live a holy life for Him. His goodness should lead us to repentance. [Rom 2:4]

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John 5:1-9 ESV

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

DO YOU WANT TO BE HEALED?

The Pool of Bethesda with five roofed porches—colonnades—it would have been a popular shelter from the sun. It was also very close to the temple, making it an ideal gathering place for beggars to sit, hoping for charity.

The number of people seeking healing here as "a multitude." Jesus' choice of him—among all of the many people made it a very interesting one. Is the Christian life about the spectacular? This miracle of healing a man crippled for nearly forty years would have made quite a dramatic example of His divine power. There would have been no doubt that the cure was supernatural. These "signs" are neither familiar nor common. An important note is that the gospel is not about physical health—it is a matter of eternal life.

Definitely, this guy for having been suffering for 38 years has had a lifetime of suffering considering the short life expectancy during the time. Was his disability a result of some personal sin? an injury, or a disease? We can only speculate. Perhaps Jesus chose him because of the length of time he'd been suffering. He must have been known for having frequented area which made his healing hard to ignore by most.

“Do you want to be healed?” is an interesting question of Jesus. Was He asking for confirmation: "Would you like me to make you well?" Or, was He challenging his seemingly apathetic and indifferent attitude, "Do you even want to be healed?" Interesting and quite puzzling, his answer was not a "yes." Details are scarce but there are reasons to think this man might not have wanted to be healed. Rather, it's a shift of blame onto others. Later, he did the same when confronted about carrying his mat on a Sabbath day (John 5:11).

Has he simply given up hope, or if he's actually not particularly interested in getting well.? Human beings have a habit, at times, of rejecting solutions to their problems, because they are preferring the pity of others over doing the right thing. Sadly, many act in the same way of justifying sins rather than facing it.

Moreover, he has made no requests of Jesus whatsoever even when Jesus asked him (John 5:6). In contrast to the official who wanted healing for his son, he was persistent in asking Jesus for it. And his healing was likewise spontaneous as Jesus commanded him "get up and walk", was it not? This was a clear manifestation that the man was completely and fully healed.

Jesus' act of healing had presented some cultural problems. However, this event is taking place on the Sabbath (John 5:9). Thus, it angered the Pharisees for carrying one's mat (or cot, or pallet) was a form of work, and all work was strictly forbidden in the tradition in keeping Sabbath day.

John 4:43-54 ESV

43 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.

46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

HIS WORD IS ENOUGH

Many Galilleans believed Him, especially the pilgrims who went for the feast at jerusalem. They saw what Jesus did at the temple. Man, by nature has the propensity to only believe if the evidence is convincing. To see I to believe. He went back to Galillee as a popular guy.

He must be welcomed at Cana where he turned water into wine. This time, he proceeded to Capernaum to do another miracle. A desperate official was pleading Him to heal his sick and dying son. Jesus had checked his heart by asking, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” Signs and wonders that He did had attracted so many people. But, for the wrong and selfish reasons. Jesus point in doing miracles was to authenticate His message and claim as the Messiah.

The official’s idea was for Jesus to come and visit his son in in order to heal him person. Jesus must come quickly, otherwise his son will die. But, His “thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are our ways my ways” [Isa 55:8] Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” His word was enough and the official believed Him.

As he went back home, he met his servants. Obviously, they were so excited to tell him that his son had recovered. He learned from them his son got healed at same the time Jesus told him to go back and see his son alive. As, Mary said to the servants during the wedding at Cana, “Do whatever he tells you.”, the water turned into wine. Miracles happen upon our obedience to His words. Whatever Jesus says, that settles it.

At one instance, the disciples were full of amazement that the unfruitful fig tree died as Jesus said it would. The next day when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?”[Matt 21:20] In short, whatever He says are true and would happen.

Thus, let’s pay attention to His words. Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”[John 6:63] He even claimed, “ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”[Matt 24:35]

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John 4:39-42 ESV

39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

39 At marami sa mga Samaritano sa lunsod na iyon ang sumampalataya sa kanya dahil sa sinabi ng babae, na nagpatotoo, “Sinabi niya sa akin ang lahat ng mga bagay na aking ginawa.” 40 Kaya nang dumating sa kanya ang mga Samaritano, nakiusap sila sa kanya na manatili sa kanila; at siya'y nanatili roon ng dalawang araw. 41 At marami pang sumampalataya sa kanya dahil sa kanyang salita. 42 Sinabi nila sa babae, “Ngayo'y sumampalataya kami, hindi dahil sa iyong sinabi, sapagkat kami mismo ay nakarinig at nalalaman naming ito nga ang Tagapagligtas ng sanlibutan.”

THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

A satisfied heart is a sharing heart. And a joyful heart is a serving heart. Undoubtedly, the Samaritan woman was bubbling with joy as she shared her testimony to the people at the town. Her sharing was centered on Jesus being an all knowing God. She wasn’t ashamed to admit that every sin she did Jesus’ knew. Simply put, she became very real and transparent to share openly about her sins having been forgiven.

This is true freedom that Jesus was talking about. Jesus claims;

““The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”[Luke 4:18-19]

The people were so excited so that they asked her to stay for two days. How I wish people today will be pleading for preachers to preach for two minutes more, even not for two days! Aside from John the Baptist, she stood out as one of the best preacher in town. They were drawn to Jesus by her testimony. Not a few. But, many souls.

Today, let’s glory in the gospel alone like the Samaritan woman. As Paul said, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” [Gal 6:14]

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John 4:35-38 ESV

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.”

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35 Hindi ba sinasabi ninyo, ‘May apat na buwan pa at darating na ang pag-aani?’ Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo, masdan ninyo ang inyong paligid at inyong tingnan ang mga bukid na mapuputi na upang anihin. 36 Ang umaani ay tumatanggap ng upa, at nagtitipon ng bunga para sa buhay na walang hanggan, upang ang naghahasik at ang umaani ay magkasamang magalak. 37 Sapagkat dito'y totoo ang kasabihan, ‘Isa ang naghahasik, at iba ang umaani.’ 38 Kayo'y sinugo ko upang anihin ang hindi ninyo pinagpaguran; iba ang nagpagod at kayo'y pumasok sa kanilang pinagpaguran.”

THE FIELDS ARE WHITE FOR HARVEST

Jesus has called His disciples as laborers [farmers] in His harvest-field. Raising wheat or barley is a process of long preparation, planting and cultivating, then the harvest. Farmers are noted of being patient. “The farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.” [James 5:7] Jesus has recognized our propensity to wait, as farmers do for the harvest to come. They are looking for signs about the physical characteristics of the grain.

However, the harvest is real and abundant. It’s here and now according to Jesus. The problem isn’t the harvest. But, we haven’t lifted our eyes. How can we see if we don’t go and see them? We wait for so long because we couldn’t believe Jesus’ words. We won’t see the harvest if we sit at our rocking chairs and are waiting for some visions. It won’t happen. Unless, you and I are like the predicament of Paul, who was busy on the road to preach the good news. Paul’s eyes was going for Asia when God gave him a vison. A man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” [Acts 16:9]

Information is inspiration. We must see the harvest-field by our naked eyes. Let us go out from our comfort zones and step out and see God’s work. It’s His work in and through His people. We are benefiting each other in God’s vineyard. Nobody could claim for it’s His working. As Jesus has said, “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.”

This was echoed by Paul, who writes, “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.”[1 Cor 3:7-9]

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