Mysterious Meat

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John 4:29-30

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?…

The disciples had gone to buy meat: and for this they cannot be censured. Do not say that they were carnal or unspiritual, for most spiritual people must eat to live. And then I admire their care for their Master. It is right for the spiritual man to forget his hunger, but it is equally right for his true friends to remind him that he ought to eat for his health's sake. Jesus has now gone, but His mystical body remains. If you know of any of His people in poverty, ask them to partake of your abundance, lest haply your Lord should say "I was an hungered," etc. Having done this justice to the twelve, let us do honour to Christ. His mind was absorbed in spiritual objects, and He wished to lead them to that higher field.

I. THERE ARE REFRESHMENTS THAT ARE LITTLE KNOWN. "Man shall not live by bread alone." Our Lord found refreshments that were not known to His disciples, and the reason for this was —

1. That this nourishment was enjoyed on a higher plan than they had yet reached.

2. It implied a greater sinking of self than they as yet knew. In being a servant obeying the will of another, He feels Himself so much at home, that it revives Him to think of it. Not in self but in self-surrender is there fulness for the heart.

3. Christ was in fuller harmony with God than His disciples.

4. Christ was sustained because He understood the art of seeing much in little. As a wise man sees a forest in an acorn so our Lord saw the vast results Of this little incident.

II. THESE SECRET REFRESHMENTS SATISFIED OUR LORD.

1. He had so long hungered to be at His work.

2. When He got at His work He gave Himself wholly to it.

3. He found great joy in the work itself.

4. He forgot to eat bread because of the enthusiasm which filled Him in the pursuit of that soul.

5. He was moved greatly by the sympathy of pity.

6. He felt great joy in present success.

7. He saw the prospect of better things.

III. LET US AT ONCE SEEK THIS REFRESHMENT.

1. Let us remember that we are sent of God

2. Let us find joy at once in God's work and will.

3. Let us get to work and leap into our place at once.

4. We may also anticipate the wages.

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