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Sermon Introduction

Did you ever feel like you were starving to death? That is probably an exaggeration for some of us. So let us change it a bit. Have you ever felt hungry to the point where you were mentally and emotionally disturbed? Of course, these questions are rhetorical. But remember that moment when you felt you needed to eat, but there was no food? Now, let us translate that to spiritual food. The writer, John, revealed to us another thing about Christ. His food was to do the will of the Father. So, after we discuss the text, our prayer is that we seek to partake of spiritual food, which is doing God’s will.

Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

John 4:31-38

31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?”. 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor”.

Notes

Did you ever feel like you were starving to death? That is probably an exaggeration for some of us. So let us change it a bit. Have you ever felt hungry to the point where you were mentally and emotionally disturbed? Of course, these questions are rhetorical. But remember that moment when you felt you needed to eat, but there was no food? Now, let us translate that to spiritual food. The writer, John, revealed to us another thing about Christ. His food was to do the will of the Father. So, after we discuss the text, our prayer is that we seek to partake of spiritual food, which is doing God’s will.

1. Food vs. divine food

   After the Samaritan woman left, the disciples offered food to the Lord. However, He used the moment to teach. The disciples remained concerned about his physical well-being, mainly because they walked more than 100 km.

   
   31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” (John 4:31-33).
   
   
   
   

2. The will of God

   The Messiah explained to them that His food was to do God's will and accomplish His work. Still related to food, he spoke about a harvest. In essence, He was saying, do not delay. Food is necessary, but the will of God is more necessary.
   
   34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together (John 4:34-36).
   
   
   
   

3. Sent to reap

   The Lord Jesus spoke about the different roles in sowing and reaping. Then He explained to His followers their assigned role: to reap. Somebody else worked before them, such as the law, the prophets, or, in the more immediate context, John the Baptist.

   
   37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor” (John 4:37-38).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Application

1. Know the difference

   Although we need food to survive and remain healthy, let us not forget the truth about divine food. Spiritual food is to do the will of God, and the will of God is revealed in the Bible. So if we need food, let us remember that we also need divine food.

   
   
   
   

2. Do the will of God

   The Lord’s food was to do God's will and accomplish His work. He accomplished His work on the cross. Our food should be to do God's will and bring people to understand His completed work. We must see doing His will as a need, like food for the body
   
   
   

3. Reap the harvest

   We must reap the harvest. What resembles the harvest? People prepared for eternal life. By whom? By God Himself through His Spirit and the word. When do we harvest? Now, we must harvest. Now is the time.

4. Final word
   Christ is the living water. We need Him. And we need spiritual food, which is to do the will of God as revealed in Scripture.
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. What were the disciples concerned about? Why was that their concern?

2. How did Jesus respond to the concern of the disciples?

3. What role did Jesus give His followers? Explain.