Following yesterday’s sermon, a reflection from the passage in John we looked at yesterday:
I love food. I won’t pretend otherwise. And all food, really. I can derive as much pleasure from cheese and beans on toast as from an expensive meal or an exquisite dessert. Not that I’ll refuse the latter if you ever host me for a meal, I hasten to add.
Food is a joy. Food is also fuel. We need to eat to have the energy required for the rest of life. In our passage today, Jesus was hungry and thirsty and the disciples try to get him to re-fuel his body: ‘Rabbi, eat something’ (v31). But Jesus replies cryptically: ‘I have food to eat that you know nothing about’ (v32).
What was this ‘food’? Clearly not physical food – let’s abandon the thought that Jesus might have been hiding a pitta under his tunic, or some olives in his belt. This is clearly some sort of spiritual food. Many commentators have concluded that this is a reference to the spiritual nourishment (and discipline) of fasting, and there is much merit in that conclusion. Fasting really is a form of spiritual food, and if you’ve never tried it (and it’s safe for you to do so) I would recommend giving it a go. You’ll be surprised how alive you feel, and how close to God, if it’s dedicated to him.
But although I agree with this line of thought, Jesus does give us a much more direct answer in the text itself: ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me’ (v34). Obedience is energising. It fuelled Jesus’ life, even when he was physically hungry.
The same is true for us too. How are we nourished spiritually? Fundamentally by obeying God. As we do God’s will (in whatever form that takes) so we are ‘fed’, we are energised in our journey of faith. It becomes the fuel of our spiritual lives – even if others know nothing about it.
As you reflect, what is God calling you to do today? Dedicate it to him, cover it in prayer – and may that obedience be, not just fuel, but the choicest of spiritual food for you this day.