WHAT CONSUMES YOU?

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Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was consumed with doing the will of the Father. He was not content with just knowing the Father’s will but fulfilling it, regardless of anything else. He had no ulterior motives, He didn't have any hidden agendas; He wasn't seeking fame or fortune,  He wasn't trying to prove anything to anyone, none of that. Jesus was firm in His resolve to do the will of the Father. We'll do well to follow in His footsteps, let us not forget, we have the same Holy Spirit in us.

There’s a lot we can learn from John’s account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well but I’d like to zero in on what consumed Jesus despite his physical hunger and tiredness. He sat by the well because He was both tired and hungry, His disciples had gone into town to buy food…Along comes this woman and the Lord sees this incredible ministry opportunity presenting itself and He seizes the moment knowing it is the Father’s will.

The Samaritan woman is so touched and blessed by Jesus’ ministry that she runs into town and calls everyone to come and see the Messiah. In the meantime His disciples urge Him to eat for they had come back with food but wouldn't interrupt Him when He was ministering. At this point, Jesus is not even thinking about physical food, He’s right in the middle of what He loves doing the most.  His responses to His disciples as they urged Him to eat before the crowds gathered around them are eye opening.

First He says:

³² But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” – John 4:32 NIV

And then as they were wondering if someone had brought Him food while they were gone, He explains what He actually meant.

³⁴ “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. – John 4:34 NIV

In essence He was saying His sustenance, even His physical nourishment resulted from doing the will of the Father. His desire was to do the will of the Father and to finish the Father’s work of redeeming mankind and restoring us to Himself. He preached the Good News to the people of Samaria, many Samaritans believed on Him and God was glorified.

Jesus was consumed with the will of the Father, and so should we, for He Himself commanded His disciples and us today saying:

²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” – John 20:21 NIV

The Father sent Jesus to save us from our sins, to preach the Good News to the poor, to proclaim freedom to the prisoners, recovery o f sight for the blind, to set the captives free and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19) Today, as children of God and joint heirs with Christ, that’s our mandate as well. We are called, equipped and graced to fulfill different aspects of that mandate. The Father’s will is that no one should perish, but all should be saved.

The fields are ripe, the harvest is ready, it is plenteous, it is out there, let’s not allow anything to distract us from fulfilling the will of the Father, and as we endeavor do His will, as we make His will our food – our sustenance, we will experience His supernatural enablement and provision.

Source: Google Images

Beloved, do what God has called you to do, for that is His will for you and He has already given you the grace to fulfill His will. Don’t let your needs stop or sidetrack you, remember He who has called you is faithful and He will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24) May the Holy Spirit within you quicken the will of the Father for your life today and let the flames of His will consume you as you step out to fulfill His will.

May you be consumed by His will today!