Ever feel like pulling the covers over your head, put a “do not disturb sign” on your front door and make the world go away. You’re not alone. The disciples of Jesus needed a vacation. They had just returned from ministering to the neighboring villages, sent by Jesus and given power to do so by Jesus. They returned and they were exhilarated, “Even the devils are subject to us!” But they must have been exhausted as well because Jesus took then ‘aside privately into a desert place”. This was to be a spiritual retreat, a time of refreshing. They needed a vacation.
But Jesus was the most astonishing celebrity of the age. Imagine the Pope or Adele or Donald Trump taking aside their followers to a private vacation venue. The press, the curiosity seekers would throng them. But Jesus was (and is) not just a famous person. He healed people. He forgave their sins. He met their needs on a multi-level basis. ‘”The people, when they knew (about) it,(the “vacation”), followed him.
The vacation for the disciples was ruined for that day, but perhaps they could just get a little sleep. The day began to wear away. “Send the multitude away” was their plea. Send them away, WE need rest, WE need help. Send THEM away. Let them find food and lodging and leave us be–if just for a day. Lord, we need a vacation!
One of the most endearing statements Christ ever made was:
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
“Send them away”, is our cry.
“Come unto me” is Jesus’s plea.
I’m so glad that Jesus didn’t send me away. I’m so glad he said: “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
