For me, food is more than a necessity—it’s a wonderfully enjoyable part
of life! I enjoy sitting down to a well-prepared meal, especially when I’m
feeling hungry. I imagine that the disciples were hungry for lunch when they
returned to the well where Jesus was interacting with the Samaritan woman. They
urged Him, “Rabbi, eat” (John 4:31). His response? “I have food to eat of which
you do not know” (v.32), which made them wonder if someone had already brought
Him something to eat (v.33).
I wonder if the disciples were so consumed with thinking about food that
they couldn’t see past their picnic. They didn’t understand the significance of
what was going on at the well. The most important thing to Jesus was “to do the
will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (v.34). He was focused on the
spiritual needs of this woman who desperately needed what only He could give.
It’s easy to become preoccupied with needs of the moment. But Jesus
invites us to get beyond our own interests—our own little “lunch”—to open our
eyes to the souls who are searching for answers to their deepest needs.
So, join Jesus at the well, and let Him use you to tell others about the
spiritual food only He can give.
Be hungry to satisfy the needs of others around you. (RBC)
