Daily Devotion

7th March – The Food of Jesus

Audio

Prepare

Today is Friday, 7th of March. It is the third day in the Season of Lent.

Psalm Reading

We will begin by reading the appointed psalm for today, Psalm 3. You’ll notice a notation in our Psalms—”Selah”—which calls for a pause or silence. We will observe these moments of silence as we read through this Psalm. Though our modern city life often makes us uncomfortable with silence, this season of Lent offers us a chance to rediscover this ancient virtue and discipline.

O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are  rising against me;
many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.”  Selah

But you, O Lord, are  a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill.  Selah

I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
Arise, O Lord ! Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongs to the  Lord; your blessing be on your people!  Selah

Scripture Reading

The Scripture reading is taken from John 4:27-42. You can read the entire passage by clicking on the link. Here, we will read John 4:31-35:

Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.

Reflection: Are you thinking about your next meal? Taking time to pause and eat is one of life’s daily blessings. We step away from work to focus on this essential need. Here, Jesus uses this moment to direct our attention to another vital necessity. The harvest is ready and urgently needs our attention. Any delay will result in lost crops. We are called to lift up our eyes—to see and understand this urgency.

Jesus was referring to the work of God’s Kingdom. Today, will you pray for an opportunity to attend to a ready harvest? This may take the form of a conversation, an invitation, an act of loving care, or sharing words of encouragement or prayer. It might mean sharing the Gospel with someone. Just as you attend to your need for food, will you also, like Jesus, see your food as doing the will of Him who sent you?

Prayer: Lord, help me to be attentive to an opportunity today to reach out to someone. May I always be ready to do the will of the Father. Amen.

We end with a collect for the Mission of the Church:

Everliving God,
whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ:
Inspire our witness to him,
that all may know the power of his forgiveness
and the hope of his resurrection;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen

Link to the full Morning Office