Jul 12

John 4:31-38
Memorise 2 Timothy 4:5
“…for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…”

In the account of our passage today, Jesus spoke those words to his disciples after His encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. Jesus had departed from Judaea on His way to Galilee and in order to reach there, He went through Samaria. The total journey was 3 days long and it was entirely on foot. Jesus arrived at the well at the 6th hour which is noon where the sun is at its highest. We are told in John 4:6 that Jesus was tired from the journey and so he took a rest at the well. We can also glean from verses 7 and 8 that Jesus must have also been both thirsty and hungry. This is also evident from verse 31 where the disciples pleaded for Him to eat. The reply that Jesus gave when asked was rather puzzling at first. He said “I have meat to eat that ye known not of” (v. 32). The disciples were puzzled and thought that Jesus had already eaten. Jesus explained that His “meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Just as meat is needful and necessary for our physical nourishment, something we cannot do without, Jesus was saying that doing the Father’s will was just as necessary and in fact more needful. Christ continued to explain in verse 35, that the fields were white, meaning the crops in the fields were ripe and ready for harvest. Christ was showing them that there is much of God’s work to be done, for the field of human souls is vast and ready to be harvested. Christ was ready to forgo food and water to share the good news with that Samaritan woman. It was clear that Christ was weary and needed physical nourishment, yet He endured the hunger and tiredness and focused instead on fulfilling God’s will.

How hard do you work for the Lord? Were there occasions where you had to miss a meal so that you could serve the Lord? When was the last time you felt really burnt out in service for the Lord? Or are you one who gets easily distracted and sway away in your service soon after starting? One day you make a great commitment and another you change your mind. Or are you willing to go the extra mile in your service? Such should be our service for the King of kings. He who saved us and made us His children has also given us the privilege to serve Him. He certainly deserves our utmost efforts and attention. Are you willing? May the Lord give the grace to serve Him faithfully.

Thought: A faithful servant is one who continues to serve until God tells us that our job is done.
Prayer: Father, help me to be a good and faithful servant.