John 4:31-32

Jesus gives His disciples an enigmatic response to their urging request for Him to eat something. When they had left Him, He was hungry, thirsty and tired yet on their return they discover He must be coaxed to eat. They even questioned whether He had perhaps already eaten something considering His lack of appetite for the food they brought. Verse 33 tells us:

33 Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?" John 4:33 (NIV)

Ever like Jesus to demonstrate for us proper priorities – His appetite always being for the spiritual over the physical. He was industrious to redeem His time and we, as His disciples, should be as industrious - particularly in gathering up the fragments - investing rather than spending our “pieces” of moments. How often I piddle away the miracle of a minute:

“I believe that only one person in a thousand knows the trick of really living in the present. Most of us spend 59 minutes of every hour living in the past, with regret for lost joys, or shame for things badly done...(both utterly useless and weakening) or in the future which we either long for or dread. Yet the past is gone beyond prayer, and every minute you spend in the vain effort to anticipate the future is a moment lost. There is only one world, here and now. The only way to live is by accepting every minute as our unrepeatable miracle...which is exactly what it is...a miracle... and unrepeatable.” Storm Jameson

In regard to this, Paul gives us the following insights in both Ephesians and Colossians:

15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Eph 5:15-17 (NIV)

5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Col 4:5 (NIV)

“You have absolutely unlimited power for godly living, and when you draw on it every minute from here to eternity, the amount you’ll use will be laughably, ridiculously small compared with the amount that’s left still available for you.” Anne Ortlund

Of course, Jesus’ statement did not mean He was not in need of physical food or rest rather His greatest passion and desire was first and foremost to do the will of His Father – that was His food. Scripture tells us:

17 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." John 5:17 (NIV)

19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. John 5:19-20 (NIV)

29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." 30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him. John 8:29-30 (NIV)

“The salvation of sinners is the will of God, and the instruction of them in order to accomplish this is his work. He made this work his business and delight. When his body needed food, his mind was so taken up with this that he forgot both hunger and thirst, both food and drink. He was earnest and in care to go through it, and to finish his work. He resolved never to quit it, nor lay it down, until he could say, ‘It is finished.’” Matthew Henry

Interestingly, when Jesus was being tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread, hungry as He was after experiencing a forty day fast, His reply was as follows:

4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " Matt 4:4 (NIV)

Indeed, Jesus tells us later in John:

26 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill . 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." John 6:26-27 (NIV)

This was the Apostle Paul’s life choice as well. He tells us in 1 Corinthians:

19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 1 Cor 9:19 (NIV)

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Cor 9:24-27 (NIV)