Give yourself a break

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Selfcare”

Our Bible verse for today: “The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote place.” Mark 6:30-32 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Give yourself a break.”

Mark’s gospel is an action/adventure story. It depicts Jesus and His disciples on the move, going from one place to another, one ministry activity to another, and almost always on the move casting out demons, healing people, preaching and teaching, confronting hypocritical religious professionals, enduring hostility from people in His own hometown, recruiting ministry assistants and training them, and finally, He sends them out on mission trips and they end up doing the same things He has been doing. Action, action, action, doing, doing, doing.

Then finally, in the previous passage in chapter six, we read that Jesus received the heartbreaking news that His cousin, John the Baptist, had been imprisoned and then executed. At that Jesus essentially said, “Alright, enough is enough. We need to take a break. Come on you guys, let’s go away for a while and rest.” And please don’t miss the point that the end of verse 31 tells us, “For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.”

In other words, it’s not as if Jesus and His disciples had completed all the work there was for them to do and now, as they stood around looking at the emptiness all around them because the crowds had finally dispersed and gone home, Jesus said, “Okay, finally, we’re all done. Let’s get a good meal and some rest.”

That wasn’t the case. Not only were the crowds still there, but they were still coming. People were pressing in. They were in need and they were anxious to get help. Maybe they were pushy and a bit demanding. But despite that, Jesus knew His team had done all they could do and they needed to rest. So, even though there was much more that could be done, He pulled them aside, packed up, got in the boat, and sailed away – leaving the crowds standing there.

There were five occasions just in the Gospel of Mark when Jesus led His disciples to stop working and go off for a much-needed rest. In each case, there was still more work they could have done. The point is, it’s okay to take a break. Sometimes it gets to the point that it’s imperative we take a break. Jesus did it and so must we. So, please, give yourself a break.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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