‘…“Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”…there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His apostles didn’t even have time to eat.’ – Mark 6:31 (NLT)
Despite our best plans, there are times when life gets extremely busy. Before I got married, I found that practising the spiritual discipline of ‘sitting at Jesus’ feet’ was simply a matter of time management and willpower. I was even a bit judgmental towards those who didn’t ‘make it happen.’
After marriage, the babies came. Thus, it became taking care of them all day: cooking, washing, and all the other things associated with motherhood. I was exhausted, and I quickly found that no amount of time management or willpower would allow my devotional life to look the way it did before.
I took comfort in knowing that Jesus’ followers faced a similar dilemma. When the disciples were with Jesus in His ministry around Galilee, we read in the above Scripture how He instructed them to move away from the crowd and get some rest. How relieved they must have felt when Jesus gave this instruction. Time away alone with Jesus? Away from the hustling and bustling of the crowd? Yes, Lord! Let’s leave now!
Did things go as the disciples expected? NO! As they reached their destination, they found a swarming crowd of over five thousand. Instead of quiet rest, they had another day of ministry. In exasperation, they asked the Master to send the crowd away in search of something to eat (Mark 6:36).
That same exasperation was heard in my voice many times: “Okay, Lord, the children are asleep, the diapers are folded, the dishes are washed, I’m ready to spend time with You…just us.” Then someone throws up, or develops a fever…No rest now, there’s more work to do.
After serving the crowds their food, Jesus and His disciples got back into the boat and went to Bethsaida (Mark 6:45). Here, they finally got some rest, and Jesus got to pray to His Father – the precious calm and one-on-one time they were hungering for.
Looking back, however, they also benefited. They heard Jesus’ teaching (Mark 6:34). They prayed with Him (Mark 6:41). They were privileged to serve alongside Him as He performed one of the greatest miracles of His earthly ministry (Mark 6:41-44), and they sat with Him and the people He loved (Mark 6:39).
That long day, over two thousand years ago, was hectic and tiring, and by all appearances, did not go as planned. However, the disciples sat with Jesus, broke bread, were witnesses to His glory, and were changed forever.
Over time, I have learned that there are days when the concepts of “time” and “quiet” are nowhere to be found. I have also learnt that no matter what the day holds, the promise of James 4:8 remains effective: “Draw near to God and God will draw near to you…” (NKJV).
Read: Psalm 127:2; Hebrews 4:9-11
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 9:7-12; Matthew 11:16-30; Genesis 29; Genesis 30