Fed by doing God’s will
Posted Sep 8, 2018
Daily Scripture
John 4:31-35, 39
31 In the meantime the disciples spoke to Jesus, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
32 Jesus said to them, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.”
33 The disciples asked each other, “Has someone brought him food?”
34 Jesus said to them, “I am fed by doing the will of the one who sent me and by completing his work. 35 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.”
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39 Many Samaritans in that city believed in Jesus because of the woman’s word when she testified, “He told me everything I’ve ever done.”
Reflection Questions
Today’s passage came near the end of the story of Jesus meeting a woman at Jacob’s Well in Samaria (cf. John 4:1-30). He was at ease in Samaria, but his disciples probably weren’t. There were centuries of hostility between Jews and Samaritans. Jesus must have amazed them by saying, in that hostile city, “Open your eyes and notice that the fields are already ripe for the harvest” (verse 35). But the fields WERE ripe—many Samaritans accepted Jesus' message. And Jesus told his disciples that doing God's will, reaping a harvest of willing followers, nourished him more profoundly than any physical food could.
- In the prologue to his gospel, John said, “The light came to his own people, and his own people didn’t welcome him” (John 1:11). Later, Jesus told the religious leader Nicodemus, “God’s Spirit blows wherever it wishes” (John 3:8). When you have welcomed Jesus and the light he brings to your life, how have you seen God work in unexpected ways in you? In the lives of others you know? Where, in your circle(s) of influence, do you see “fields ripe for the harvest” today? What excites and “feeds” you most about the ways in which you serve God and others? What would you like to get involved in that would deepen that joy and excitement? How can you begin to plan to make that happen?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you said people who hunger and thirst for righteousness are the ones to whom your kingdom belongs. Grow that appetite in me—and then feed and sustain me as I join in your mission in this world. Amen.
Family Activity
How can your family partner with God in helping all people receive their “daily bread” both as physical and spiritual sustenance? Consider collecting canned or boxed food for a food pantry in town. Maybe you could prepare a meal for a soup kitchen or for people who are homeless. You might want to invite a family to your home for dinner. Think ahead of time about how you could share the love and grace of Jesus along with the food. You could pray with someone or tell a person, “Jesus loves you.” You could create a card and include on it a drawn or written blessing. Pray and ask God to help your family share daily bread with others.
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Lori Trupp
Lori Trupp serves as the Lead Director for Learning Centers at all Church of the Resurrection locations.
One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is John 4. My usual focus when reading this chapter is on the story of the woman at the well and her encounter with Jesus. Admittedly, I rarely spend time thinking about the encounter that follows between Jesus and his disciples. When taking the time to shift my focus today, two statements stood out to me. I can’t believe I never really gave them much thought until now! The words are found in verse 35, “open your eyes” and “notice.” These words literally jumped off the page for me today.
I have been struggling lately with our fast paced, over-scheduled, multi-tasking, constantly available with immediate response required, totally distracted world. It seems that we live in a non-stop space of over-stimulus. Somehow, this way of living seems to have become the status quo. So much so that most of the time I wonder if we even notice it.
In our passage, the disciples were so distracted by the hostility between the Jews and Samaritans, the fact that Jesus was talking to a woman, and by lunch, that they totally missed the fact that the Samaritans were ripe and ready to accept Jesus’ message, which was their mission in the first place.
I wonder, what do we miss because of all of the stimulus and distraction in our lives? I wonder, what would happen if we took time each day to open our eyes, to notice? I think we would see the light Jesus brings to our lives, the way God is at work in our own lives and around us, the daily opportunities we have to share the good news with others, and so much more.
To do this, however, I think we have to be intentional. If you are interested, here are some things you might try to help with this process:
- Develop a morning routine that does NOT involve checking your phone or turning on the TV first. You might start with a walk outside, or with some quiet time reading the daily Scripture passages provided in our GPS, by journaling, or by enjoying a quiet cup of coffee.
- Take a break from social media. (I know, WHAT??? – But you can do it!)
- Intentionally try to notice the people you encounter throughout the day. Look them in the eye, offer a smile as you walk by, say hello.
- Wake up on a Saturday morning with absolutely no plan for the day and see what happens.
- Keep the TV off for a week. Or at least take a break from the 24-hour news cycle.
- Turn off the notifications on your phone.
- Clear some clutter from your desk or home.
- Schedule a lunch with a friend or dinner with your family.
- Find a way to serve others. Visit www.cor.org for ideas offered by the church.
Think about where you feel the most over stimulated and distracted in your life and take some intentional steps to change things. You might be surprised by what you notice!