Mark 6:30 “Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.”
It was testimony time! Returning from their ministry assignment, the apostles are giving Jesus their ministry report. Can you picture the scene? Imagine the excitement as they told Jesus what they had been doing and teaching. It is like hearing testimonies from a church group upon returning from a mission trip. Regardless of any challenges they may have faced, their testimonies are filled with what God did THROUGH them and IN them. It is a glorious and wonderful time because they are sharing about the wonderful and glorious work God did!
As you picture the apostle telling their exciting stories, picture Jesus LISTENING. Can you see Him SEEING them as they told their stories of being used to impact lives? One must wonder if Jesus was smiling as they told of people repenting and people being healed. I think He was.
As we come to verse 31, we find Jesus has been very INTERESTED. Upon hearing as well as seeing how involved they had been, He becomes INVOLVED, telling them what may come as a shock. He tells them to “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
The reporting by the disciples of fulfilling their responsibilities brought a recognition from Jesus that they now needed to REST. In response to hearing the reports of fulfilling their responsibilities, Jesus gives them a new responsibility to GET SOME REST!
REST. Get some REST. Take a BREAK. RELAX. Hard words for a hard worker to read, much less apply. Not wanting to ever be known as LAZY, many of us find ourselves feeling guilty when we REST. With feelings of guilt, we throw ourselves back into work that slowly but surely WEARS us out.
Think about this: “I used to think that since the devil never takes a vacation, neither should I. But then I remember that the devil is not my role model!”
Friends, Jesus is your role model and your teacher. Jesus fulfilled His responsibilities. (John 17:4) As He fulfilled His responsibilities, Jesus took naps. (Luke 8:23 NLT). Jesus told His disciples to come apart and rest. Mark 6:31
How well do you REST? Do you understand that getting rest is part of your responsibilities?
Mentoring note: We must “work” at resting. Be intentional to relax and rest and restore, and replenish. And you must rest and do those other things, as He has more for you to do!! (See Mark 6:32)
Continue Strong, fulfilling your responsibilities, which include resting,
And remember to DATE the Word