You know the story of the feeding of the five thousand men along with thousands of women and children.  A very familiar miracle story.  But there’s more going on around the edges of this story, which caught my attention today.

Jesus sends out His followers to teach about God’s Kingdom and to heal those in need.  When they return they gather around Him telling about their adventures in those local villages.  With people coming and going, everyone needy and demanding, the disciples had absolutely no time for themselves, not even to grab a bite to eat.   Tired, worn-out, famished,  Jesus tells them to ‘…come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest'(v.31).

Doesn’t that sound good?  Like what the doctor ordered?  What you need at this moment?  Getting away from phones, television, politics(amen!), work, family, money.  Oy vey, already!  ‘Jesus, that’s for me!  Help!’  That’s what I saw around the edges of this story.

Come away by yourself.  Warts and all.  Even that baggage you’ve been carting around on your shoulders, stuff from the past that’s still bugging you.  Bring it all to Jesus.  Time for a break.  Some rest for the weary.  Open your Bible and read a psalm.  Not one about our enemies but more like Psalm 23, or of praise in Psalm 100.  Be comforted and pampered.  Bask in Jesus’ care.  Rest in the Sonshine.

Come away with Him.  To a quiet place.  Can you find one?  For rest and nourishment.  What Jesus did for them years ago, He’ll do for you and me.  Hear Him calling?  ‘…come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’.  Sign me up!  You too?

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, for times with you.  Hearing from you in the Bible.  Speaking about our concerns in prayer.  We love you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.