21 Days in the Gospel of John With Levi Lusko Sample

 A Pocket Full of Tater Tots 

I was at an amusement park with some friends once when one of them put some chicken fingers in his pocket and, several hours later, busted one out to munch on while in line for a roller coaster. That's not what's happening here when Jesus says, "I have food you don't know about." It's not as though Jesus has tater tots in his pocket for secret eating. But His disciples seem to think so. I can just imagine them, Peter carrying falafel and John holding the silverware. They get to the well where they'd left Jesus resting while they grabbed lunch and now it seems like He's no longer hungry. Suddenly they're hurt and suspicious that someone else brought Him food. "That's our job! I was going to get you a quiche, but Andrew said real men don’t eat quiche. Nathanael said it looked really good with the salmon and the chives. Did someone bring Him a Lunchable? Or a Twinkie?"

But Jesus explains: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work." Jesus' food is divine in origin. This nourishment and fulfillment meets a much greater need than any meal and satisfies a more important appetite—a hunger that often goes unnoticed and ignored. One that can only be fulfilled by taking in and obeying God's word. Matthew 4:4 says, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Job says, "I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). God offers spiritual meat that we are starving for, but that many aren't even aware of. 

Tragically, even among Christians, many are bored by the Bible and spend little time feeding their souls. How can you know if you are spiritually malnourished? Do you squirm through a 30-minute Bible study but then easily sit through 1.5 hours in a movie theatre without batting an eye? Can you text friends without even realizing how much time passes but barely make it through 15 minutes of devotions? This appetite can only grow through being fed. Fill up your spiritual stomach with Scripture. Devour the Bible as though it were a Big Mac—or a Caesar salad, whatever works for you. Take in worship music like chocolate. Treat your prayer life like a coffee addiction. To be full of God, you must cultivate a hunger for the Word of God.

Remember: Cultivate a hunger for the Word of God.