When Abraham’s eldest servant is welcomed into the house of Rebekah’s father, Bethuel, he is offered meat (food) for him to eat, but the servant refuses to eat until he has told them the purpose of his Master that had sent him on the mission to find a bride for the master’s son. (Genesis 24:33) In other words, the servant refused to satisfy his personal appetite unless his master’s purpose and mission was satisfied. The servant put his Master’s mission before meat.
Jesus said, that his meat (food) was to do the will of God the Father, who sent him and to finish his work (John 4:34).
Points to ponder:
Are we as servants of God, our Master and Lord (John 13:13), are we willing to put God’s mission of reconciling mankind (bride) with Jesus (the bridegroom) before satisfying our appetite? Just as the unnamed servant put mission before meat and just as Jesus expressed that his meat is to do the will of God the Father and finish his work, can we also put mission before meat until the work of God, in and through us, is finished.
Genesis 24:33 (KJV)
33 And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.
John 4:34 (KJV)
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.