A Time to Rest

I woke up wondering if I was going to make it to the end of the day without a visit to the ER; the pain was excruciating. The only portion of my body that was at all willing to do its given task was my feet. Enough to get me out of bed and moving toward some coffee, right? Rain was coming down in sheets -- which explained my inability to move -- and it didn't appear anyone was rushing to make me breakfast in bed or, at least, carry our arthritic sixty-pound lap dog downstairs to use the outdoor facilities.

Back upstairs with a bowl of caffeine and a less restless dog, I settled in to do devotions. Mark 6:31-32 was part of today's reading. Jesus' disciples had returned from their first "missionary journey." They'd been preaching, healing, casting out demons; and they began telling Him all they'd done and taught. I'm sure they were excitedly talking over one another. But Jesus said, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." Jesus knew the drain of ministry. Even as they wanted to relate every detail, Jesus knew they needed rest, and sailed them off to a deserted place. "I need rest today," I thought.

Homework. Laundry. A shower for Mom. Breakfast. So much for "Six days shalt thou labor..." Some time later I found myself sitting on the sofa watching episode after episode of The Golden Girls, with Mom. Not restful, but Scott was doing some much needed repairs in our home, and I wasn't about to leave Mom sitting alone on Mother's Day. So, I sat. And I stewed. "Jesus was so selfless; He anticipated the needs of others, and eagerly, cheerfully met them. I need rest today."

But, as I've stated, "Mark 6:31-32 was part of today's reading." The story doesn't end there. As they were headed to their retreat, the multitude saw them, and actually beat them to their destination! I tried to imagine the look on the disciples' faces, but it was unnecessary -- I needed only to look in the mirror. Fatigued, annoyed; lips clenched tightly. Jesus could have told the multitude to leave. He could have had Peter turn that boat right around and head for someplace else. He could have spirited His disciples away supernaturally, over the heads of the crowd -- taught those pests a lesson.

"And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd." (v. 34)

He preached until late in the day, and even fed them before He sent them away.

Jesus hadn't lost the desire to care for His disciples, to give them the rest they so required. But these were sheep without a shepherd, and His disciples -- as exhausted as they may have been -- for now, had their Shepherd. The multitude had the greater need.

I looked across the sofa to my mom. "You good, Mom? Can I get you something to eat?"