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." Mark 6:31

 

As word of Jesus and his disciples spread his popularity increased and people who sought after him also increased. Jesus sent out the twelve two by two and gave them his power. They went and preached about him and healed the sick just as Jesus did. As word of their work spread the people seeking them out also increased. This verse says that so many people were coming and going after they reported back to Jesus they didn't even have time to eat. Life for us can also be very similar. We go through the day to day and sometimes the world starts to spin so fast we don't seem to have time to do anything.

As more and more people come to us with their needs or as more and more responsibilities call for our attention we can find that we don't have time to eat, sleep, or oftentimes, to spend quality time with the Lord. This verse tells us what to do when we feel like we have no time. Just as Jesus told the twelve to put all others aside and to meet him in a small place to get rest he also tells us that. No matter how fast the world is spinning or how many other needs you have to accomplish, your need for spiritual food outweighs it all. This verse uses physical hunger to make us examine our spiritual hunger and Jesus tells us we will find rest in him.

The most important part of this verse is that Jesus says to come to a quiet place by yourself. Sometimes it is just nice to lay your head down and not say a word just knowing that you are in his presence. To feel all of the worries fade away and know that his hand is guiding you in this crazy world brings calm to your soul and prepares you for the journey ahead. It is better to take 10 minutes and just sit in God's presence to prepare you for the long days ahead than to try and go through each day starving on your own.

Another incredible aspect to this verse is that Jesus used this situation to feed five thousand. This verse comes right before the story of him breaking five loaves and two fish. The disciples came to the Lord for rest and immediately he created a situation to work a miracle and show his power. In our lives too we need to go to him for rest and allow him to prepare us because he might have a giant miracle in store for us just around the corner.

 

 

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Dear Lord,
We pray that in this busy busy world you will be our source of comfort and rest. We know we cannot handle everything by ourselves and ask you to help us carry our load. Help us not to forget that you are our daily bread. Remind us that you might be preparing to work a miracle and show your fully glory in our lives. We praise you for your faithfulness and pray you will increase our knowledge and hunger for you so that we might please you and be blessed by you. In your precious name, Amen.