Text: “…In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of … My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” – John 4:30-34.
Comment: Having preached and trekked long distances so as to reach as many people as possible with the good news, the disciples of Christ were anxious that he should eat, knowing that he would be hungry. But seeing that there was an important spiritual duty in front of him, he decided to delay eating awhile until he had finished the work in hand. What Christ was teaching in essence was that we should learn the habit of giving priority to the work of God above anything else. See John 17:4. Apostle Paul prayed God to help him finish his course with joy. (Acts 20:24) He was very happy to have finished his race saying he was ready to be offered because the time of his departure was at hand. He knew a crown of righteousness was waiting for him. (2 Timothy 4:6-8) We too should arm ourselves with the same mind: we have to put away distractions and personal pleasures and remain focused to run the race until the end.
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” – 1 Peter 4:1-3. See also Romans 12:1, 2.