In a Mirror Dimly

Scripture

John 4:31-35

Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples were saying to one another, “No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.

Observation

Being about the work of the Father gives life sustaining energy

Application

It is interesting reading verses in context and not pulled out in isolation. If I were to hear verse 35 out of context, what comes to mind is the urgency to give the gospel to a ready people. “The fields are white for harvest”. In other words, it sounds like Jesus is saying, “Give the gospel because people are ready to be converted”, like the woman at the well. And because we do know that is a Biblical truth, we don’t even question that that is Jesus’ meaning in THIS passage. But the context here is that Jesus and the disciples are talking about food. They urge him to eat. Why? Because he’s human and needs food for his health and to have the energy to keep moving. Bodies are designed to need food. God gives us such great physical illustrations for the spiritual life. The energy food provides runs out and we need to take in more. Jesus equates doing the will of God with food. In other words, doing the will of God is the nourishment you need for your spiritual life to flourish. Let me say it another way: Doing God’s work is for YOUR benefit, not because He needs your help.

Have you ever felt spiritual burnout? This passage should make us wonder how all this fits together. If Jesus is saying that doing the work of God gives energy, then spiritual burnout makes no sense. But, I know from experience that it happens. What’s going on? Well, too often we are doing what WE think is the will of God and it isn’t…at least it isn’t for us in that moment. To be sure, sharing the gospel is the will of God. Helping the needy is the will of God. Working hard is the will of God. Rest is also the will of God in its time. The overarching “will of God” that puts everything in place is that we are to glorify Him. Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. As long as our aim is that God be seen as magnificent…and I would submit that proper rest magnifies the truth that God doesn’t need me to run the universe, then even rest glorifies God.

Prayer

Father, thank you that you have wired the universe to operate in such a way that when I obey You, I am nourished. Your ways are so perfect that you can help others and help me, all the while glorifying yourself, if I will obey. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!  For Who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?  Or Who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.