A Necessity and a Pleasure

Prahlad Jani, a holy man from India, claims he hasn’t had anything to eat or drink since 1940. To test his claims, he has been observed at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India, on two occasions. In 2010, after 15 days of reportedly not eating or drinking, researchers said he was still in good health. Medical professionals in the West have been skeptical of these claims.

The estimated amount of time a person can go without food is around 30 to 40 days. Food is necessary to life, and most people consider eating to be one of life’s pleasures. But life is much more than food. In the story of the woman at the well, Jesus’ disciples left Him to rest while they went to purchase food. They returned just as the woman was leaving.

When they pressed Him to eat, He made a startling statement: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). Doing God’s work was both a necessity and a pleasure for Jesus, just as food is for us. We feel satisfied after a good meal; Jesus felt satisfied after introducing someone to the Savior.

Jesus then turned His disciples’ attention to the nearby fields with an object lesson. Speaking of the people of Samaria, He said, “Look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together” (John 4:35, 36). Jesus was inviting His disciples to share His work and His joy in saving lost people. Jesus makes the same invitation to His disciples today, and it’s a meal too tasty to miss!