True Rest

“Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.  These were his instructions: ‘Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.’  They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them…

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 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.’

So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” (Mark 6:6b-13, 30-34 NIV)

Sometimes our bodies and minds cry out for rest and solitude, and just when we think we are going to find it, something or someone demands our time.  We think we are going to get a weekend off, but a professor or boss gives us more work to do.  Or perhaps we plan on going to bed early and a friend needs to talk—now.   

The disciples had just returned from a demanding time of ministry away from Jesus and returned to find themselves in the midst of more ministry.  So Jesus attempted to lead them away for some R and R, but they couldn’t get away from the people.  And Jesus saw their need and began once again to minister to them.  

There is a lesson here that may be surprising.  Sometimes I think we live in a culture addicted to both work and to leisure.  We bounce from the one to the other.  When we work, nothing gets in our way and we can push ourselves to exhaustion, and when we relax, we don’t want to be bothered.  We just want to veg out with no demands on us.  But life rarely works well that way.  It’s not all or nothing.  

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)  The disciples were weary, but they were with Jesus.  And Jesus, in the midst of their weariness, gave them the strength to continue to do ministry when it was needed.  The lesson is that they were with Jesus.  That is the difference.  They allowed Him to lead them.  At that time, He saw fit to give them more work to do and the strength to do it.  At other times, He led them away and others’ needs did not interrupt their rest.  

Today, recognize you can find true rest only in being with Jesus.  You can trust Him to lead you.  If that is rest without interruption, then enjoy it.  If not, then know He will give you the strength to do what is required.  

© Jim Musser 2014