Man Does Not Live On Bread Alone

                                                     When The Door Slams

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.                                                                                                                              John 4:34

        Throughout Jesus' ministry, we see a marked difference between His priorities and the concerns of His disciples. The disciples were often preoccupied with how to meet their physical needs (Matt.14:15-17; John 4:8; Luke 18:28). Jesus repeatedly assured them that the Father knew their needs and would provide (Luke 11:11-13). Jesus stressed that their priority was to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness"; the necessities of daily life would be provided (Matt. 6:33).

        When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, His disciples had gone into a nearby town to get food. While His disciples were seeking earthly nourishment, Jesus was giving this woman "living water" that would satisfy her soul for eternity. When they returned, the disciples urged Jesus to eat. He replied that His "food" was to do the will of His Father. Since their attention was on earthly matters, His disciples misunderstood His reply. Jesus' very life came from obeying His Father. Because of Jesus' obedience that day, the woman received eternal life. In her excitement, she brought many others to Jesus to hear for themselves, and many believed that He was indeed the Christ, the savior of the world (John :39-42). 

        The apostle Paul understood what Jesus had been teaching His disciples. When Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, he stressed that "the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men" (Rom. 14:17-18). 

        Think about this: When Satan tempted Jesus to turn these stones into bread, Jesus quoted the Scriptures, summarizing the focus of His life and ministry: "Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord" (Deut. 8:3).  

You are the true vine, and Your father is the vinedresser. He cuts off every branch in you that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. May I abide in You, and You in me. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can I, unless I abide in You (John 15:1-2,4). 

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for his forgiveness. 

                                                                    Never Rest Ministries