Food to Finish (John 4:34)

Reflecting on Jesus' words in John 4:34, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work,” I am reminded of how essential it is to align my priorities with God's will. Just as food sustains me physically, doing God's will sustains me spiritually. I was created to depend on physical nourishment to live, but Jesus teaches me that my true sustenance comes from fulfilling the Father's will.

In my daily life, I am often preoccupied with my physical needs, much like Jesus' disciples who worried about His hunger. However, Jesus' example shows me that His foremost desire was to accomplish His Father's will, even to the point of rebuking Peter for suggesting that He avoid the path of suffering and death (Matthew 16:21-23). Jesus' response to Peter, calling his words demonic, underscores the seriousness of placing God's will above my own desires. When I prioritize my own needs over God's will, I am reminded of Jesus' strong words to Peter and the need to re-evaluate my focus.

This doesn't mean that I should neglect my physical needs altogether. In Matthew 6:31-33, Jesus reassures me, saying, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” God, my Creator, knows my needs and promises to provide for them as I seek His kingdom and righteousness first.

I can't help but wonder if God designed my physical dependency as a reminder of my greater dependency on Him. This earthly life is fleeting, like food that perishes, but God and His kingdom are eternal. Colossians 3:2 urges me, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” My focus should be on heavenly things, on fulfilling the purpose for which God created me.

Just as Jesus was driven by a hunger to complete the Father's work, I too should desire to finish the race set before me. Ephesians 5:16 encourages me to make the most of my time, “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” In this brief life, I aim to fulfill God's calling, setting my mind on eternal rewards and the joy of hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

To cultivate this spiritual hunger, I must fast from the flesh and feed my spirit. As John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Jesus, the Bread of Life, invites me to partake of Him, promising, “He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). In Him, I find true contentment and satisfaction.

May my life reflect a deep, abiding hunger for God's will, nourished by His Spirit, and may I continually taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). As I journey through this life, may I be sustained not just by physical food, but by the profound joy of doing the will of my Father in heaven.

Lord, help me to hunger for Your will above all else and to seek Your kingdom first. Fill me with Your Spirit, that I may find true contentment in You alone. Strengthen me to finish the work You have called me to do, for Your glory. Amen.