And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.
Mark 6:31-32 (NASB1995)
Our scripture today reminds us of the necessity of rest in our lives. The disciples had just returned from their mission to take the Good News to the regions of the country (Mark 6:7-12), and there was also grief at the loss of John the Baptist – their Lord knew that they needed to rest. Matthew Henry writes, “Christ takes cognizance of the frights of some, and the toils of others, of his disciples, and provides suitable relief for both, rest for those that are tired, and refuge for those that are terrified. With what kindness and compassion doth Christ say to them, Come, and rest!” F.B. Meyer describes it thus, “When the Apostles returned they had much to tell. Some were flushed with success, others radiant with victory over demons, others, perhaps, overstrained and weary, and all needing the quiet, holy influence of repose and silence in the Lord’s company.”
Adam Clarke states the necessity of rest for God’s people well, “Rest is necessary for those who labor; and a zealous preacher of the Gospel will as often stand in need of it as a galley slave.” What a description of the tired servants of the Lord! The timing of writing this is not lost on me; yesterday had been an arduous day, and I really needed to rest later in the afternoon/evening rather than write this post. Indeed, I am reminded that most Sunday evenings I am spent and need to rest. I am also grateful for the memory of when a dear benefactor in the Lord sent me to rest in a Christian retreat on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in England; it was a beautiful place to relax and recharge my spiritual batteries. God is Good!
Dear Reader, if our Lord and His disciples needed to rest after labouring for the Gospel, so do we. Divinely guided rest is important for everyone; it highlights two important points. First, that our Lord loves and provides for us. Second, after resting, we will serve Him better. Take care of your body as well as your soul brethren; when the Lord points you towards rest, obey His call to do so.
You Video Sweetly Resting (In the Rifted Rock)
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