Jesus and the apostles are exhausted. Overwhelmed by an uninterrupted schedule of teaching and serving! They need a break!
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." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
But it didn’t turn out to be much of a vacation. In fact, it was over before it started! People found out where He was going, ran ahead and got there before He did!
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.
Of course we are always impressed by the wonderful things Jesus teaches. But here we are amazed by His tireless dedication to teach! His incredible love and empathy for others!
Yes, it turned out to be another working vacation!
Today, it is still the kindness and compassion that attract us to the Teacher. And we feel He has the same dedication and desire to teach us that He showed the people that day.
In a way, they are amazing too. They run all the way around the lake to get to Him! How very committed they are to being in the presence of the Teacher!
Isn’t this is the true heart of every student of Jesus? Great enthusiasm to learn more from our Teacher! As zealous to be in His presence as He is to teach us!
And just like our Teacher, we will never take a vacation from this.
You just lie down to sleep - and the cell phone rings, a brother needing to talk.
ReplyDelete3 AM on a work night (morning) and the phone rings with a friend who needs pulled out of a ditch - or a ride home from somewhere they shouldn't have been.
9 PM Sunday night after a day of worship and someone knocks on your door, just needing a friend to listen to.
A homeless man walks down the street as you're preparing your family's 4th of July BBQ dinner.
How do we react in those situations? Tired, busy, needing rest and relaxation, and someone has a need, how do we respond?
Aren't we supposed to be like the Teacher, even when we're tired?