(1) Why was Jesus not eating the food the disciples brought Him? v.31
The background for this verse is:
4:28 Then the woman left her water jar, went off into the town and said to the people,4:29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Surely he can’t be the Messiah, can he?”4:30 So they left the town and began coming to him.
The town people had already left the town and was coming to Jesus. The disciples needed to get ready, not eating. Of course, they might not know about that, but Jesus did.
The town people had already left the town and was coming to Jesus. The disciples needed to get ready, not eating. Of course, they might not know about that, but Jesus did.
4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work.
Doing the Father's will was more important at that time.
Doing the Father's will was more important at that time.
(NET)... his food was his mission, to do the will of God and accomplish his work, leads naturally into the metaphor of the harvest. The fruit of his mission was represented by the Samaritans who were coming to him.
Reflection: What is urgent may not be what is important in our lives. Is your schedule filled with urgent things and you do not have time for important things? Filling up your tummy? Or fulfilling the Father's will?
Just like the disciples who did not know that the Samaritans were coming we may not know when we will meet someone whom God has prepared to hear the Gospel. Are you always ready to share the Good News with others?
(2) The joy of harvesting was repeated from v.36-38. It was because the reaper would get paid and they would gather the fruit v.36.
4:36 The one who reaps receives pay and gathers fruit for eternal life
(BKC) Reapers harvest the crop for eternal life, that is, Jesus’ disciples were involved in ministry to others, in the issue of death and life.
(BKC) Reapers harvest the crop for eternal life, that is, Jesus’ disciples were involved in ministry to others, in the issue of death and life.
The reapers got the result without the toils of sowing v.37-38, but the sowers were also joyful when they saw the result of people coming to Christ v.36b, 39-42.
Reflection: Do we share the Good News just out of duty or are we happy to gather the fruit for eternal life? We are happy to see that someone's life was changed from darkness to light? When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone?
The sower should rejoice with the reaper when someone comes to Christ. What is your reaction when you keep sowing and have not see the results?
Audrey
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