Come Apart and Rest a Little While - Jean Sheaffer

(Mark 6:31-45)

In the hustle and bustle of life today, it's easy to get caught up in whirlwinds of tasks and responsibilities that constantly demand attention. We find ourselves running from one thing to another, sometimes barely taking a moment to transition properly. However, amidst the chaos and busyness that can easily overtake our lives, there is a timeless truth that our Lord Jesus shared with us, speaking directly from His loving heart: "Come apart and rest a little while."

Now, you might be thinking, "Rest? Maybe in the sweet bye and bye but certainly not in the nasty now and now! Ain't nobody got time for that!" But bear with me, dear reader, for we learn that even when the Prince of Peace Himself beckoned His disciples to come apart and rest, it didn't necessarily mean physical rest would follow. Instead, it seems it led to more work. Let's delve deeper into this concept.

In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 6, we find that Jesus and His disciples had been busy preaching, healing, and serving the multitudes. Their toil was no doubt ceaseless, and the demands upon them from such a crowd were probably unrelenting. Acknowledging their exhaustion, Jesus said unto His disciples, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while" (Mark 6:31).

Oh, how sweet those words must have sounded to the weary disciples! To finally have a respite from the constant clamor of the crowd. To withdraw from the world and find solace anywhere!  Even if it is in the desert's embrace. So they departed by ship, seeking a quiet sanctuary where they could be at ease for a few moments.

But as we see, their plans for rest were quickly interrupted. The multitude, like a relentless tide, pursued them on foot!  And as Jesus beheld the throng, He was moved with compassion, for they were as sheep without a shepherd. Jesus demonstrated His unwavering love and compassion for the people. He continued to minister to them, teaching them and performing the great feeding of the 5,000 despite His disciples' weariness. In this profound moment, we witness the beautiful intertwining of rest and service.

While physical rest may not have been immediately forthcoming for the disciples, they experienced a different kind of rest—a rest found in surrendering to God's will and allowing His strength to sustain them. They discovered that true rest is not merely a physical state, but a state of being with Jesus and casting one's cares upon Him.  

So, my friends, even when the call to "come apart and rest" seems elusive, and to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) seems an impossibility. Remember the admonishment “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee…” (Psalm 55:22).  His rest is a rest that sustains us amidst the storms of daily existence. Jesus taught this paradox repeatedly. He said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). 

Please meditate with me on this truth, and be reminded that even though exclusive time apart from the world with Jesus should be our priority every day, rest is not always found in the absence of work or the cessation of activity. Instead, it is a state of relying completely upon Jesus. It positions the soul in a way that allows us to find peace and renewal amidst the busyness of life. It is an invitation to trust in God's provision and to rely on His strength, even when our circumstances seem overwhelming. Trust Him to give you the rest that is best for you today.