The summer lull (if there is such a thing) has past and the ministry year for most of us is in full swing. We can hear the busy holiday season approaching like a far-off freight train, even as we try to ignore it.
Hopefully, we are seeing fruit in our ministry—children are coming to understand the love of God, even making decisions for Christ, families are being encouraged and helped as we disciple their children. But when things are going well in ministry, we’re often tempted to overwork, to let success seduce us into a frantic pace, to ignore the need for rest.
In Mark 6, Jesus sends his disciples to do ministry on their own. After months of following him, learning from him, and asking him questions, they get to do what they have watched their rabbi do. And they have great success. The text says “They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them” (Mark 6: 12,13).
The next few paragraphs describe the death of John the Baptist. Then the disciples return to Jesus. They are pumped up about the ministry they’ve done. I’m sure many of them wondered what was next, were ready to continue doing amazing things. But rather than tell them to keep going or suggest that they build on those successes with a capital campaign or an evangelism event, Jesus has an almost odd response.
“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 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.” (Mark 6: 30-32)
Are you in a season of ministry right now where you feel like you don’t even have a chance to eat? Remember, in Jesus’ culture they did not have drive-thru windows. People did not eat in their car or over the sink. They reclined at a table and enjoyed long slow meals seasoned with conversation. And it was this sort of thing that Jesus said his disciples needed. They needed the replenishment of community. When was the last time you gathered with your family or even your co-laborers in ministry, to encourage one another or perhaps enjoy a leisurely meal together? To rest?
It’s an interesting phrase, “come away with me by yourselves.” If you come away by yourself, that implies solitude—an important practice, and one that Jesus modeled. But that’s not what he’s inviting them to do. He says they should come with him, all of them—a sort of group retreat or time to rest together in the comfort of community.
Galatians 6:2 says. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” I think if we consider Jesus’ invitation to “come away with me by yourselves” and realize that he invites us to rest not only in solitude but at times in community, we will find the rest that we so need.
Keri Wyatt Kent is an author and speaker. Visit her at www.keriwyattkent.com/soul/.
