“The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.” Mark 6:30-32
You can imagine the scene. Every city they entered...crowds gathered...waiting for hope and healing. Jesus told them to take care of the people... cast out demons, heal them from their sicknesses, and preach the good news to all who would listen. And they did. With everything they had! Jesus’ chosen disciples were changing the world one miracle at a time. Excited, they sprinted back to their Teacher to tell Him the great news. They eagerly shared...waiting for a jubilant pat on the back or the call for a party. Jesus‘ replied... but not in a way that many would understand.
Jesus told them to rest. Rest? But Jesus... there are thousands who are sick! There are hundreds who need to hear your message of salvation! Dozens of hurting and hungry children! Jesus... are you sure you want us to rest?
Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. He knew the value of pace. Of rest. Of being healthy to be effective. Christ heard their stomachs growling... He heard their words and looked into their tired eyes. The Lord knew that there would always be people in need... but a group of exhausted shepherds would do them little good. They wanted to keep pushing... Jesus knew what was better for them. He understood a truth that many today do not.
Rest is a spiritual discipline.
“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:2
“So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.” Hebrews 4:9-11
Lots of resting in scripture. But don’t confuse resting with laziness...
“I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” Proverbs 24:30-34
The discipline of resting isn’t meant to replace hard work. It isn’t an excuse to abandon the needy... or avoid your calling. It’s not an off-ramp... leaving the hard work highway....
Rest is pulling over to the roadside and replenishing. It’s reflecting on what you’ve done. Pausing long enough to gain perspective, rejuvenation, and renewed focus. The devil will try to convince those alongside the road that their delay means that they’re lazy. He’ll argue that if you truly loved people you’d just keep going.
The devil is a liar.
God the Father rested.
Jesus rested.
The disciples rested.
Pushing past your threshold doesn’t make you more spiritual... it tends to make you less effective. It abandons the model that God gives us. It buys in to the myth that the truly Godly people are the ones that are dead on their feet. Untrue. Tired people make foolish decisions. Exhausted people are far more susceptible to temptation.
Why did Jesus make His disciples take a break?
Because He knew that life has a rhythm. It has notes and rests... purposeful pauses that help us stay our sharpest. Find yourself too busy to stop once in awhile? Re-evaluate your priority list and work in some time to recharge. Not only will you be better at what you do... able to help more people... serve with renewed vigor... you will be modeling the One who breathed life into you. Now go get some rest... :)
