Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while. The disciples have just returned from their
first solo ministry tour. Earlier on in the gospel of Mark, Jesus sends the
disciples two by two out into the world with no provisions. Nothing except the
gospel message and the assurance that God would provide. And God did. The
mission turned out to be a big success. The disciples cast out demons, cured
the sick, and proclaimed the good news. Now upon their return they are brimming
with wonder and amazement as they share with Jesus all that they had done and
taught.
But recognizing their excited exhaustion Jesus knows what they need. It’s what he himself often sought after pouring himself out to the never-ending needs of others. And that is rest. It is part of being human. It is part of Jesus’ humanity. Like us, Jesus didn’t have an endless supply of energy to give. Over and over again we read in the gospels how Jesus goes off to be alone to rest, to pray, to connect with God and, in doing so, be refreshed and renewed. So Jesus has a plan for his disciples to sail away to a deserted place for a rest. But another aspect of being human that Jesus seems to not be able to avoid is that even our best laid plans can sometimes go awry. And these plans certainly did. Instead of a quiet sanctuary, by the time they arrive at their longed-for destination the crowds have beat them to it. The masses are waiting and wanting.
So what does Jesus do? Does he run? Does he tell the disciples to turn the boat around and sail away? Of course not. Upon seeing the crowd and their needs he is filled with compassion. He begins to teach them many things and then later on in the day, which for some reason our lectionary edits out, Jesus ends up feeding them, all 5,000 of them. And then once those needs are taken care of, Jesus turns to the disciples and insists that they get back into the boat and sail away. Vacation attempt - take two. But again, the plan is foiled as the second half of our reading records. For when they pull ashore at Gennesaret there are more people, rushing around bringing everyone who is in need. And Jesus responds with compassion. He heals them all.
Perhaps we can take some solace in the
fact that even Jesus lived with the tension of competing needs - the needs of
others versus his and his disciples’ needs. On the one hand Jesus was
unapologetic about his need for rest and solitude. He has no shame in
retreating when he and his disciples need a break. But on the other hand he
never allows his weariness to overwhelm his compassion. This is because he
makes rest a priority.
For without some kind of rest we humans eventually become too weary to care. And that is why Jesus calls to us saying, “Come away...and rest a while.” Come away even though there are more things to be done. Come away even though there are more needs that need addressing. Come away even though there are more causes to be championed. Come away and rest. Jesus models this for us. And God models it too in the work of creation by resting on the seventh day and calling it holy - the only thing in the creation story that is called holy. (So think about that the next time you carve out time to rest - you are doing something that is holy!) And that is reiterated in the Ten Commandments, we are to take a Sabbath rest because rest is not an act of laziness or weakness. Rest is an act of holiness and trust - trust that God is God and we are not.
But this call to rest is not to be heard as a burden. One more thing to put on our to do list. And then one more thing to feel guilty about or frustrated by when our plans go awry. There is no grace in that. Rest is not supposed to be a burden, but a gift. And truth is, whether or not our lives are packed with demands, the rest which Jesus invites us to is always available because it comes from within. God’s indwelling, Holy Spirit is always seeking to fill us, renew us, refresh us whether we are lounging about or working hard. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that it is in returning and rest that [we] shall be saved (30:15). The returning he speaks of is not about going back to some physical place. Rather it’s an inner turning of our spirit towards God. For when we turn towards God we find our rest. We hear the same message in the gospel of Matthew, when Jesus says, Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (11:28). Coming to Jesus is all about inwardly turning and being present to God no matter what we are doing or what is going on around us.
It is my hope that you experience this soulful rest whenever we worship together. But even more than that, my hope and my prayer is that when you are sent out in peace to love and serve the Lord that, like the disciples whom Jesus sent out into the world, that you know God is with you and are assured that God will provide. If this week you are able to carve out time to be quiet and still - great! But even if that’s not a possibility or if your best laid plans go awry, God’s abundance and nourishment is always available to you. Jesus sees all of our needs and is filled with compassion. Refreshment is ours if only we are willing to receive. So this week may you have ears to hear Jesus calling to you, Come away...and rest.
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