It's a matter of priority
Meanwhile the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.” But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” “Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other. Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. John 4:31-34 Prior to the text, Jesus just spoke to the woman at the well and explained to her about the “living water” that comes from knowing God. He told her that it is by believing in Him that she will received life. While He was having a conversation with the woman, the disciples left to get food. When they returned they urged Jesus to take some food. Jesus took this moment with His disciples the opportunity to teach them a principle about the Kingdom of God. The disciples had set their priorities on their physical needs which were a marked difference with the priorities of Jesus Christ. This was also demonstrated when Jesus preached to the crowd. The people were willing to listen to Christ but they needed food at that moment. The disciples told Jesus to tell them to leave for they do not have enough money to buy them food. Instead of sending them in their homes, Jesus demonstrated His power by providing food more than enough for the five thousand men, not counting the women and children that were there (see Matthew 14:13-21). Jesus stressed to His disciples to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” and the necessities of daily life would be provided (Matthew 6:33). When the disciples were looking for physical relief from hunger, Jesus was providing spiritual nourishment to the woman at the well. He told His disciples that His priority was to do the will of the Father. In His obedience to do God’s will, the woman came to know the source of the living water. After receiving the message of salvation, the woman went back to her town. This time she was no longer ashamed of her past for they were forgiven by Christ and she was joyful to share to others her new found faith. She brought the people to listen to Jesus about the new life that comes from believing in God. “Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus ...When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world” (John 4:39-42). After Paul followed Jesus as His Lord and Savior, he himself understood what Jesus was explaining to His disciples about their priorities. “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God” (Romans 14:17-18). What are your priorities in life? Does God have the prominence in your life? When Satan tried to tempt Jesus to turn the stones into bread after forty days and forty nights of fasting, Jesus replied by quoting an Old Testament passage providing a summary of what life priorities should be; “...people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3).
Blessings,
