George Hutcheson
31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eate.
32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Secondly, we have recorded Christs conference with the disciples in absence of the woman, and before the Samaritanes came to him; tending to commend the work of the Ministry in bringing in of soules. And first, in his own practice he declareth, that his delight in that work entrusted him by the Father, took his minde off bodily refreshment, even when he had need of it, and was more refreshful to him then meat or drink could be. VVhence learn, 1. Christ is not only meek toward lost sinners, but most indefatigable, yea, and refreshed, in seeking their good, even to the forgetting of his own necessities; for, in this also his disciples come short of him, who would have him now eating of what they had bought, whereas he not only needs to be put in minde of his necessary food, though he had been weary and faint, v. 6. but tells them, I have meat to eat, and that delight in his calling allayed the sense of outward necessities. 2. It is also Christs Prerogative to be the chief Improver of time, and entertainer of spiritual purposes, whereas others that are often and much in his company, may be, and too often are, very carnal; for, albeit it was necessary that Christ and his disciples should have bodily refreshment, yet the disciples in this bewray their own disposition, which was yet rude, in that when others are not with Christ, to keep up and draw out spiritual purposes from him, they minde only meat, In the meane while, when the woman was away, his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eate; wherein Christ reproves their temper, by setting on foot a spiritual purpose necessary for them, and emproves that short while of the womans absence well. 3. When the Lord offers an occasion of doing good to soules, (especially which will not so readily occurre at another time,) it should be followed so far as health will permit, with the neglect of any thing of lesser consequence; for, so doth Christ reckon of this occasion of doing good to the Samaritanes, I have meat to eat, it made him forget meat, and was as meat to him. 4. The refreshments that are found in Gods service and doing of his work, are but known to very few, yea, even disciples may be much ignorant thereof for a time, and do alwayes come short of that delight that Christ found therein; for, saith he, I have meat to eate that ye know not of. They were but yet rude, and knew not this, at least under these termes of meat, (as Thomas knew not Christ under the name of a way, John 14.5,) nor did they know it yet in experience, nor could they reach that height of delight Christ found in it. 5. As a carnal disposition and temper is not soon cured, even in disciples; so this is a great impediment to them in taking up Christs minde, while as they judge carnally of what he saith; for, so much doth their discourse, till Christ cleared them, import, Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eate? 6. Christ is so careful in helping his people, that their very necessities are an invitation to him, though they faile in not employing him. Therefore, although they do but discourse among themselves, and (out of modesty, or otherwise) do not enquire at him, yet he cleareth them. 7. The saving of lost sinners is a special point of Gods Will, which he will have accomplished; for, Christ calleth this work he is about, the Will of him that sent me; that men might neither look on God, as averse from sinners salvation, nor on that work as uncertain what the issue of it will be. 8. Christ is entrusted by the Father with the work of saving sinners, and sent into the world with a Commission for that effect; therefore doth Christ speak of himself as sent of God, to performe this his will. 9. Christ is entrusted not only to undertake the work of sinners salvation, but to bring it to perfection, as accordingly he did; for, he was sent to finish his work, or the work enjoyned by the Father. And as he perfected the work of Redemption on the Crosse, John 19.30. and did faithfully preach these glad tidings, and convert soules in his generation; so he stands still engaged to see that whole work perfected. 10. Christ undertook this work entrusted to him, not of necessity, but willingly, and went about it with more delight then an hungry man hath in meat; that so he might commend his love to us; that he might teach Ministers to be delighted in this work, 1 Thess. 2.19, 20. and 3.8. Acts 20.24. and that he might teach all to go about Gods service in their stations, as their delight and recreation; for, saith he, My meat is to do the Will of him that sent me, &c.
