The Pilgrim Path---Mark 6:30,31 (7—17—20)

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

BUSY TIMES

The Lord Jesus and His men had been incredibly involved in the work of the kingdom. A lot of labor and a lot of villages. Many people and many places. When you are the God-Man, you attract the folk from everywhere:

---Handling people as The Compassionate Shepherd: crowds come

---Healing every ailment imaginable: crowds come

---Teaching like No Other: crowds come

---Telling people their innermost yearnings (and what the real answers are): crowds come

---Leaving religious hypocrites speechless: crowds come

---Casting out demons: crowds come

---Making ordinary men into disciples: crowds come

---Sending disciples out with power for ministry: crowds come

Well, people eventually need some time to collect themselves and renew their soul before the LORD. Human beings are only able to give so much. They must pause and “park” a while with the Prince of Life. Call it: Compassion Fatigue; Dealing with the Needs of the Needy; The Cares of the Distressed----People can only handle so much…then--- they must hear Jesus, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” Come apart---or go to pieces…

From J. C. Ryle: These are words full of tender consideration. Our Lord knows well that His servants are flesh as well as spirit and have bodies as well as souls. He knows that at best they have a treasure in earthen vessels and are themselves compassed with many infirmities. He shows them that He does not expect from them more than their bodily strength can do. He asks for what we can do, and not for what we cannot do. “Come ye apart,” He says, “and rest a while.” These words are full of deep wisdom. Our Lord knows well that His servants must attend to their own souls as well as the souls of others. He knows that a constant attention to public work is apt to make us forget our own private soul-business, and that while we are keeping the vineyard of others, we are in danger of neglecting our own (Canticles 1: 6).

Support Us Lord---to spend the time we need to be with You

Support Us Lord---to spend the time we need to Hear you in Your Word

Support Us Lord---to spend the time we need to Hear you in Prayer (You “use” the Word that way)

Support Us Lord---to spend the time we need to Think deeply about Your Word through the day

Support Us Lord---to spend the time we need to read godly material to frame our mind in righteousness

Support Us Lord---to cultivate some time in silence before You---in a world of noise---We need to Learn to quiet our hearts before You

“To live on Christ’s love is a king’s life.” Samuel Rutherford

Take time to be holy,

Be calm in thy soul;

Each thought and each motive

Beneath His control;

Thus led by His Spirit

To fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted

For service above.

William Dunn Longstaff (1822-1894)

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason