“In the meantime the disciples kept urging him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’ But he said, ‘I have food to eat that you don’t know about.’ The disciples said to one another, ‘Could someone have brought him something to eat?’ ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work,’ Jesus told them.” John 4:31-34 CSB
With Thanksgiving upon us, it’s hard not to think about all the food and desserts we will be enjoying in just a few short weeks. We always say, “I'm full!” but then find ourselves back in the kitchen that evening fixing our plates again! Have you ever considered what Jesus Christ ate? We know He enjoyed wedding feasts and dinner parties at friends’ homes, just like the rest of us. In John 4, Jesus goes to Samaria and has a delightful conversation with a woman. They discuss the living water that this woman was thirsty for but didn't even know it. The disciples return from getting some takeout for their journey and encourage Jesus to eat. The Lord responds with verse 34 of our text. Jesus shares about the table He has already been feasting at: the table of His Father in heaven. Jesus came not to do His own will, but the will of the One who sent Him. This is a wonderful lesson for the disciples of Christ. If you find yourself today as a Christian wanting to know more about Him, then this verse is for you because you, too, are a disciple, a “learner.” Jesus lets the disciples know that when we are busy fulfilling our own will, we will never be full. Fulfilling our own passions and desires will only leave us hungry for more. But when we do the will of God and live it out every day, we find true satisfaction. This is something the world doesn't know, doesn't have, and doesn't understand. King David declared in Psalm 40:8, “I delight to do your will, my God, and your instruction is deep within me.” David understood that true satisfaction comes from doing and fulfilling the will of God in his life. This presents us with an important question: “What is God's will for my life?” Many have struggled with this question, and perhaps you have as well. Thankfully, the will of God isn't elusive. It doesn't require a distant pilgrimage to find, nor does it require us to sit in a cave for 20 years pondering it. No, God's Word tells us what His will is for each believer's life. But before that, lets see what God’s Word says about what is NOT Gods will or desire: 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. It is God’s will and desire that all mankind would not perish. He wants everyone to come to salvation through Jesus Christ. Now what is God’s will for you? Here it is, Are you ready for it? Do you want to know what it is? Here you go:
“For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you keep away from sexual immorality, that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not with lustful passions, like the Gentiles, who don’t know God.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3
Sanctification is the process of becoming holy, or being set apart for a special purpose. What, then, is that special purpose? Jesus told the disciples (remember, that's what you are as well) what you purpose is:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20
This is how we live out God's will for our lives. We are called to live lives of holiness, and we are called to make disciples, teaching others the Word of God. Now, you might say, “Well, that doesn't help me know if I'm supposed to take that job,” or, “If I'm supposed to marry that person.” Listen, as you begin to delight, as David did, in doing God's will for your life, He will reveal what He has in store for you. It's very simple: delight yourself in the Lord and His will, as David and Jesus did, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Only then will you find true satisfaction in life. So I'll leave you with this question: “Whose table are you eating from, your own or God’s?"
Agape,
Frank
