More Than Bread Devotional for 8/4/11

³⁰ The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. ³¹And 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. ³² And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. ³³Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. ³⁴When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.  – Mark 6:30-34

After they returned from ministering as Jesus had sent them to do, the disciples needed a break.  I am not sure if they even realized it, but Jesus knew.  The Scripture says that Jesus taught the crowd a great many things, but I think there is an equally important lesson in those earlier verses.  When you have been serving others, it is still important to know when to stop and take care of yourself as well.  Sometimes, we can get so caught up in service to others that we feel like we can go on forever without any break or rest.  Let me remind you that God also commanded rest.  It isn’t just a good idea; it’s the Law.