March 5, 2012 Jesus Needed Rest

Jesus Needed Rest

Mark 6:30-32 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

DO YOU get busy? Of course you do. Everyone has reasons to be busy. Jesus and his disciples had been plenty busy teaching and preaching God’s Word, baptizing people, healing physical diseases, cleansing people of demonic possession and dealing with large crowds always pressing in on them. What should they do?
I love Jesus’ solution: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” That’s a great idea, isn’t it? Or is it? Should Jesus and his disciples who had the ability to do so many wonderful stop to rest? After all, there are things to do. There people to save. How could Jesus suggest they stop?
He could suggest the stopping because they needed to prepare for their next “going”. In order to minister, they needed physical rest and spiritual renewal. After all God created the body to rest everyday. And God created the soul to seek him everyday. To minister in power, Jesus and his disciples needed physical rest and soul nourishing.
Guess what? You are the same. You need these, too, everyday. If you respond, “I’m too busy to be quiet and rest. I’m too busy to take time for God’s Word.” I’ll say, “No, you’re not. Jesus needed this in his humanity. So do you.”

Pause and consider how good it is too rest and feel God’s care.