January 18
JOHN 4
27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.
31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “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. – John 4:27-38
JOHN 4 JESUS’ NOURISHMENT IS TO DO HIS FATHER’S WILL
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When Jesus came down from heaven to earth
It was to fulfill His Father’s salvation plan
He cannot be derailed from doing anything else
So, when his disciples urged him to eat
He made it clear which ones are a priority
The Spirit is higher than the physical needs
He knew how to control his appetites and set it aside
He is focused on the Father’s plan being fulfilled rather than his own needs.
How many of us could set aside hunger and do kingdom work first? We are very sinful people and we couldn’t control our appetites. I know it seemed like they were caring for Jesus to have something to eat since he was tired in midday and hot, but they forget that Jesus cannot be distracted by food or any other physical needs. He was there to save this Samaritan woman and bear witness to Jesus as the Messiah which she spread as soon as she went back to town. Sometimes, they forget that he is God too.
REFLECTION
• How can we develop a spiritual priority over physical need as Christians?
