Unseen Water and Food You Know Nothing About

John 4:31-38, CEB

In the meantime the disciples spoke to Jesus, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”

Jesus said to them, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.”

The disciples asked each other, “Has someone brought him food?”

Jesus said to them, “I am fed by doing the will of the one who sent me and by completing his work.  Don’t you have a saying, ‘Four more months and then it’s time for harvest’? Look, I tell you: open your eyes and notice that the fields are already ripe for the harvest.  Those who harvest are receiving their pay and gathering fruit for eternal life so that those who sow and those who harvest can celebrate together.  This is a true saying, that one sows and another harvests.  I have sent you to harvest what you didn’t work hard for; others worked hard, and you will share in their hard work.”

                I am hoping that as each of you read this, you can remember a time when you became so engaged in an activity that before you realized it, you had forgotten to eat.  This has happened to me a lot as I prepare to preach and/or write.  It has happened to me even while doing fairly trivial things as well, such as becoming engrossed in a video game.  My memories of such times is that while they were happening, I felt no hunger.  It was as if the activity itself were nourishing me. 

‘               While Jesus arrived at the well in Samaria thirsty and hungry (He sends His disciples for food), the most profound conversation that we have spent multiple reflections on has been nourishment, the “food that you don’t know about.”  The disciples, like the woman before them, think He is talking about physical provisions.  Jesus speaks of a much deeper provision that comes from being spent in a cause you deeply believe in, living out a God-given calling to work for something bigger than you in every way. 

                While Jesus fasted often, He did actually eat and drink.  It was just as necessary for Him as it was for you and me.  In fact, he was even accused of being a drunkard and glutton  (Matthew 11:19, Luke 7:34).  So when He talks about living water with the woman and food with His disciples, we know Jesus is not talking about actual food and drink.  We’ll want to remember this as an important principle, especially in the gospel of John.  When Jesus talks about food and water, He’s talking about something much more than food and water.  When Jesus offers His “food and water,” it is a nothing less than a sacrament – a tangible gift of the holy grace of God.  Please remember this as we work our way through John. 

Question:  If God were to give you work that would quench your deepest thirst and deeply nourish the hunger of your soul, what would that work be?

Prayer:  Jesus, give us to know the quenching that comes from Your Spirit and the fullness of being spent pursuing the call your have made upon our life. Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Pray for clarity about the work God has invited you to do.

Song: Come to the Table – Sidewalk Prophets