QT 22 Jun 17, Ps 138:8, What is the purpose of our life?

QT 5 Jun 12, Ministry is far more satisfying than earthly pleasures

John 4:28-31. 34-42 (NIV) Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"  30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."

...

34 "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.

42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

NOTE: Certainly, Jesus was not arguing that food was unnecessary, but rather that there was something more important happening (and more satisfying), and if anything, not to miss out on it because of a need to satisfy some earthly want. There will be times when ministry will crowd out a dinner or a golf game or a night of sleep or whatever it is where we might find enjoyment. But, there is an even greater joy involved in ministry and seeing lives changed by the gospel. Jesus knew that and he wanted his disciples to understand that aspect of ministry as well. Of course, ministry is also hard and the "sheep" are "dirty" and "smelly." But the aroma of lives changed is quite different and is worth all the hard work in the end. One last comment is that Jesus says that the sower and reaper are glad together. Sometimes we just sow and sow and never seem to reap. In that case, we believe, by faith, that our reward is in heaven, and our reward will also be in the words of Christ, "well done, good and faithful servant." We don't always see the reward of our efforts, but God knows and he will reward us in His time.