Anchor My Faith

The Food Jesus Has

Scripture: John 4:31-34

In the previous lesson, we went with the woman back to town where she shared her experience with Jesus with the people there. In this lesson we will spend time with Jesus and the disciples while the woman returns with people from the town. The purpose of this conversation Jesus is about to have with his disciples, is to prepare them for the teaching Jesus will do when the people from the town arrive.

We pick up the story at John 4:31 (ESV): “Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”’ The disciples had returned from getting something to eat and were surprised to find Jesus talking to this forbidden, in their minds, Samaritan woman. They didn’t ask about the conversation Jesus had with the woman, but instead urged him to eat that which they had gone to get. Jesus answers them by saying, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about” (John 4:32 ESV). This response really puzzles them “So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?”’ (John 4:33 ESV). Jesus responds with words that mean nothing to them. “[He] said to them “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work”’ (John 4:34 ESV).

Again Jesus is speaking, using physical terms that teach about spiritual realities. With Nicodemus, Jesus spoke of being born again and with the Samaritan woman, he spoke of living water. Now he is speaking of other food. In all three cases, those hearing him think in physical terms and what is being said makes no sense, but when one has the ability to understand spiritual things that are unseen, then there is understanding.

Here Jesus is stressing the importance of accomplishing the mission on which he was sent by his Father, over eating physical food at the time. There is a time to nourish our bodies as there is a time to be involved in ministry. Jesus refers to ministry in terms of food to eat because it has the effect of nourishing us. I understand this concept because I have experienced it. Following many ministry opportunities, I feel nourished and strengthened as though I had eaten a good meal. I experience the same thing when involved in a good time of Bible study, as I often do when preparing for and writing these lessons. An example of this is found in Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV): “And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” The word of God is like food that provides life.

The will of the Father is for Jesus to provide eternal life because he is the source of eternal life and when he gives life that becomes a source of strength for him. Jesus is strengthened by giving what he is the source of. We are fed and strengthened by being a conduit through which he gives what he has to give to those who need it. The woman at the well needed eternal life and so did the people who came from the city. Giving eternal life to those who believed was the food he was talking about to the disciples.

Prayer

Father, such deep spiritual insight comes from thinking deeply about a passage like this one. I am also reminded of the link between coming and believing and eating and drinking. I long to learn more about this when we get to chapter 6. Thank you for giving me understanding for this lesson.