JULY 22 – REST!

“And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31).

Jesus Christ also needed rest and relaxation. Indeed He is a Man of God and indeed He is the Messiah promised by God. But still, the Scripture says that He took rest. Mankind was longing for 4000 years for the arrival of Messiah but the time the Messiah received to do the ministry on earth was a mere three and a half years. He had numerous responsibilities for Him to fulfil in that short tenure. He had to preach to the people. He had to visit the towns and cities. He had to meet the sick.

Jesus Christ said, “I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). Jesus toiled with His ministry work but at the same time, He also took care of His body. The Scripture says, “Jesus said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.” The Scripture says, “For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. He said to them (Disciples), “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.”

Even when Jesus was resting alone, people came there to meet Him. He miraculously shared five loaves of bread and two fish with five thousand people and sent them away (Mark 6:45). In the very next verse, we read, “And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray”.

After doing the ministry, He went to a place of wilderness for resting. That place was the Gethsemane Garden. As He kept on praying, He felt His soul getting refreshed, Spirit getting strengthened and the body receiving health. Yes. He knew the refreshment that prayer could bring.

He also took care of His disciples. He climbed the high mountain along with them and revealed to them the experience of the Mount of Transfiguration. He trained them by showing them the power of prayer. Even during Crucifixion, He took care of His mother Mary and safely handed her over to John (John 19:26, 27).

Dear children of God, ensure that all the Spirit, soul and the body are disciplined. Only then you could advance towards perfection with divine healing and good health. It will also help you to prepare yourself for the Coming of God.

To meditate: “But to you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2).