30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 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."
32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
True refreshment can only be found in Christ alone. He is the God Who offers peace and repose from our fretful, anxious, overworked, overburdened and over-worried lives. It is no wonder then, that our Lord woos us with His gracious invitation to rest in Matthew – He being fully aware of what we all so desperately need:
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt 11:28-30 (NIV)
Christ is ever cognizant of our fears and toils and offers us suitable relief - rest for the tired and refuge for the terrified. Jesus is so kind and compassionate – He is the Good Shepherd Who lovingly tends His Own. There is no want with the Shepherd. The sweet words of Kind David come to mind:
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalms 23:1-6 (NIV)
"Abandon the worries...and Abide in the Word. Abandon the fears...and Abide in the Father. Abandon the hurts...and Abide in His heart. Abandon the cares...because Christ will never abandon you. It's what I self-preach again and again to the fearful sinner who is me: Abandon and Abide." Ann Voskamp
"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." Deut 33:12 (NIV)
In our verses for today the Apostles had just returned from ministering – teaching and healing and they were quite spent. Couple that with hearing the recent news of the death of the Baptist and they were ripe for restoration. Knowing all, our Lord compassionately invites them away privately for a brief, well-earned rest. Thankfully, the Lord cares for the body and considers its weak frame not only allowing us time for rest but reminding us of our need for rest as well. Believers are temporal jars of clay housing rich treasure. Those who work diligently and faithfully may cheerfully retire to rest. Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes:
12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet. Eccl 5:12 (NIV)
We are also told by King Solomon there is a proper time and duration for everything:
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Eccl 3:1 (NIV)
Jesus invites His guys to a quiet and solitary place to catch their breath and get some rest so that they may be refueled to carry on His Father’s business. He takes them away by boat which would have been a less toilsome way. When they arrived at their destination the crowds had already beat them there – running ahead of them on foot. With the need being so great and the compassion of our Lord even greater, Jesus’ heart went out to them as He looked upon them as sheep without a shepherd. Their pursuit and diligence in seeking the Master was duly noted – Jesus never turns those away who willingly seek Him. Our Lord not only began to heal them but also to teach them many things. There is certain blessing in following hard after Christ.
13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.” Jer 29:13-14 (NIV)
“God is God. Because He is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will, a will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what He is up to.” Elisabeth Elliot