What Jesus Did! 'Food You Don't Know About' — John 4:31-33

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

[While the people were coming out of the Samaritan village to see Jesus at Jacob's well], the disciples were urging Jesus, "Rabbi, eat something."

But Jesus replied, "I have a kind of food you know nothing about."

"Did someone bring him food while we were gone?" the disciples asked each other.

— John 4:31-33 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus had real spiritual food, food that sustained his soul rather than his body. While physical food was greatly valued by Jesus and his disciples, [1] we must always remember that Jesus was trying to open our eyes so we can see the real spiritual food God longs to provide us. The same power that sustained Jesus - living out God's mission in his life - will sustain us also when we live out God's mission for us. Let's find that food!

[1] John 4:8, 6:1-14.

Today's Prayer

Open my eyes, dear Lord, and help me see what is important. Turn my heart to your will, your Word, and your Spirit for I know that only these can truly nourish me and sustain me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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2 Related Resources by Heartlight

A Dry Time
Article by Tom Norvell
Who around you needs more than just a drink? Tom Norvell talks about a spiritually dry time, when there seems to be a void in our souls and spiritual life seems difficult and he reminds us of the woman at the well in John 4 and how Jesus gave her much more than water and how she shared this water wi
What's Your Diet?
Article by Elizabeth Price
What really is the value of food? Food has been an object of fascination for a variety of reasons, but Jesus has helped us determine the value of a good diet.

Illustration

Illustration of John 4:31-33 NLT — "Did someone bring him food while we were gone?"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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