John 4:27-42

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and
to complete his work.” (4:34)

Jesus was a Jewish rabbi who had violated an important custom of
his time: he had dared to talk to a woman in public. Naturally, this
caused consternation. Jesus explains that his mission is to meet the
needs of those around him. And it is this service—this mission—that
sustains him.

All of us are called to serve others. We live in a world of need—
people are coping with injustice, hunger, war and disease. As
Paul tells us in the book of Romans, it is a privilege to meet needs.
Creating space in our lives to help others is at the heart of the
Christian faith. And sometimes such service creates consternation.
At such moments, we need to keep our eyes focused on the labor,
the ministry and the difference we are making in caring for others.

—Ian Markham