The Jesus Diet!

John 4:31-34 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. (32) But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. (33) Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? (34) Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

In our culture, food is used for many things besides just the gaining of sustenance for our bodies. Eating is done for reasons like entertainment, relief of boredom, fellowshipping with others and the list can go on and on. In fact, I would go so far as to say that we are motivated an focused on food a great deal. Case in point, In just about a week, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. By far, with this holiday, comes the most anticipated, the most planned, and the most elaborate meal most of us will eat all year. But notice Jesus’ attitude about food.

While Jesus was speaking with the Samaritan woman, his disciples were off somewhere else and in verse 31 they meet back up with him. They had apparently been apart for some time and when they were reunited, the disciples were concerned that Jesus had not properly eaten. So like caring friends, they urged him to eat. Notice now Jesus’ response in verse 32.

John 4:32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

The disciples were not suggesting a meaningless dinner party or superfluous snacks to eat during a ball game. They were concerned about him needing to eat for his health. And yet Jesus essentially is saying his work...his mission...pleasing his father is his food. That is what satisfies him. That is what sustains him.

I am not suggesting that we eat fewer meals to be like Jesus. However, do we have our priorities where they should be? Is doing our father’s will rank up there in our priority list with the essentials of life like food, water and oxygen? Will we spend more time fixing,,,or even eating next week’s Thanksgiving meal than we do focused on doing the work of our father? May we each someday be able to say that “My meat is to do the will that sent me...”