“His disciples urged Him saying, ‘Rabbi, eat.’ But He said to them, ‘I have food to eat of which you do not know’ Therefore the disciples said to one another, ‘Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?’ Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:31-34).

Let’s consider the setting. Jesus and His disciples were traveling through Samaria. At about 12 p.m. the disciples had left Jesus by a well, Jacob’s well, and had gone into a nearby city to buy food. When they left Him, He was wearied from the Journey. However, now that they have returned with food, He has no interest in food, or pausing to eat.

Why the change? While the disciples were in town, Jesus began a conversation with a woman at the well. It was a conversation that would change her life. The disciples returned in time to see him speaking with the woman. She left her waterpot and went into the city. She was bringing a great number out of the city to meet Jesus. She said, “Come, see a man who told me all things I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29).

Jesus was so focused on this opportunity that He could not think of food (earthly food). His food was to do the will of God. B.W. Johnson comments, “The Savior declares that to do the will of God is food to him. It is enjoyment and strength. It does not weary, but refreshes” (B.W. Johnson, The People’s New Testament, p. 340). J.W. McGarvey comments, “His delight at the woman’s conversation… overcame for a time his desire for food. Food has several characteristics: (1) enjoyment; (2) satisfaction of desire; (3) refreshment and strength. God’s work had these characteristics to Jesus, whose life fulfilled the principle that man shall not live by bread alone.” (J.W. McGarvey, The Fourfold Gospel, p. 151). Robert R. Taylor, Jr. comments, “Dispensing gospel food enjoyed far greater priority with Him than His own intake of food for the body. He could eat when there was no one to teach… surface saints today who fret and fume if a Sunday noon meal is delayed ten minutes due to a little longer lesson or to meet the needs of a response to the invitation, have never entered into the priority of John 4:34. In fact, they are total strangers to what it intently implies and inculcates for His disciples.” (Robert R. Taylor, Jr., Studies in the Gospel of John, p. 59).

Think on this. Some men prioritize and think of little else than earthly wants and needs. Others, a small number, prioritize doing God’s will above all. This is how Jesus lived. What about you and me?