John 4:38
French (La Bible expliquée)
Je vous ai envoyés moissonner dans un champ où vous n'avez pas travaillé; d'autres y ont travaillé et vous profitez de leur travail. » Est-il possible de mettre Dieu à la première place dans sa vie au point d'en oublier même de manger et de boire? Celui qui, comme Jésus, ne se contente pas d'une demi-mesure ressent la volonté de Dieu comme une urgence, comme un besoin encore plus vital que la nourriture. L'œuvre que le Père demande à Jésus d'accomplir, c'est d'offrir sa vie pour le salut de tous les humains. Comme une semence plantée dans le monde, la vie de Dieu touche d'abord les Samaritains et ensuite le monde entier. Les disciples n'auront plus qu'à moissonner, en prolongeant ainsi la mission historique de Jésus.
What Does This Mean?
Jesus is speaking here and says that his disciples are reaping a harvest of salvation without having sown the seeds themselves; other people have done the hard work, so now the disciples can benefit from their efforts.
Explained for Children
Imagine you went to help plant flowers in a garden. Another day, when you return, you find beautiful flowers blooming that someone else planted earlier. You get to enjoy them without planting them! That's what Jesus is saying about his followers enjoying the good work others have done before them.
Historical Background
The Gospel of John was written by John the Apostle around 90-100 AD, aimed at both new and established Christians in the early church. The cultural setting includes a mix of Jewish and Gentile traditions as Christianity spreads beyond its Jewish roots.
Living It Out Today
Consider a community project where volunteers have been working for years to clean up a local park. New residents move in and immediately enjoy the benefits without having done any work. They should appreciate those who came before them, just like Jesus' followers benefit from earlier laborers in spreading his message.
Topics
salvationharvestlaborgratitudecommunityfaith
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the 'other men' that Jesus refers to in this verse?
The 'other men' likely refer to earlier prophets and teachers who prepared the way for Jesus and his disciples, laying groundwork for their work.
Does John 4:38 imply that it is acceptable to benefit from others' hard work without contributing?
It's not about avoiding effort but recognizing gratitude. The verse encourages appreciation of the contributions made by others and suggests working together in shared efforts for greater good.
How does this verse relate to teamwork in ministry or church groups?
This verse highlights how different members contribute at various stages, emphasizing that everyone's role is important. It encourages unity and recognizing the value of collective effort.
What does it mean to 'enter into their labors' as mentioned here?
'Entering into their labor' means benefiting from the work already done by others. It suggests building on past efforts, which is a call for gratitude and collaboration in spreading the gospel.