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.”
Personal Reflection and Discussion
- What causes you to skip meals unknowingly? Eat too much unknowingly?
- What happened with the water jar? Why is this mentioned?
- Why is Jesus so misunderstood in these verses? Why does he continue to say things that are confusing if he, as God, KNOWS it is confusing language to his disciples?
- When the disciples urge Jesus to eat (v 31), how does Jesus respond?
- What is God’s food?
- We have encountered a time when earthly food is flying off the shelves and feelings of insecurity can creep up for people. How can Jesus’ response to the disciples provide lasting security—lasting food?
- Are you more like the disciples or the woman? Why?
- When was the hard work finished? (John 19:28-30)
Prayer
Jesus, use this verse to help me discern whether or not something I’m engaged in, or about to be engaged in, is a part of Your will for me. If I am feeling Spiritually fed and nourished for the task, I take that as a sign that something is indeed a part of Your will. If I am not feeling Spiritually fed or nourished, I take that as a sign that either the task is not a part of Your will for me, or that I am trying to perform Your will in my own power (doing it “for” You rather than doing it “with” and “through” You.) Feed me for the doing of Your will today.
Greek Word of the Day
English Word: Accomplist | Transliterated Word: Teleioo (tel-i-o)
To complete, consummate, end, finish, fulfill, perfect. Particularly with the meaning to bring to a full end, completion, reaching the intended goal, to finish a work or duty.
Family Engagement Activity
Eating contest! Blindfold different family members and see if they can guess what they are eating. Talk about if the food is good for them or not, and why it’s good. Talk about how God’s food is to do the will of God and to finish His work.
Going Activities To Consider
Take an inventory of what you are currently engaged in – certain relationships, groups, or activities. Ask a mentor of yours to help you out with this. Are these things a part of God’s plan? Are you spiritually fed by them? If you are not, are you trying to perform God’s will in your own power (doing it “for” God rather than doing it “through” God)? Reap or prune, accordingly.