Just to get away from it all. How many only wish they could. They feel cheated.
Jesus recognized this. To his restless apostles, the Lord Jesus Christ ordered: “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest a while for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat ...” — Mark 6:31
To be wearied from constantly serving, witnessing and preaching, was one thing.
But at this juncture they could well have been worried also at the news John the Baptist had now been beheaded. Would they be next?
The Gospels do not say how long they chose to “rest a while” before 5,000 men pressed on Jesus for a miraculous feeding, for their wives and children as well.
Only does the New Testament note our wondrously caring Savior was “moved with compassion.”
There will be millions on the road for a last chance getaway at the so-soon end of summer.
Some local homebound Labor Day celebrants might venture as far as Harvey County East Lake or West Park by the Little Arkansas River.
Rarely, if the mosquitoes aren’t too voracious and the neighbor doesn’t peer into the night, some Newton saint might take a folding chair into the middle of the back yard lawn.
There seated, he will lift his hands unto the heavens, and pray and praise fervently for an hour or two. What starry sky blessings and human renewal as well are his.
The Augustine Confessions well express it in such simple prayer, howsoever we may say it: “Thou hast made us for thyself, 0’ Lord, and we are restless until we rest in thee.”
Hebrews 4:9 caps it to declare “There remaineth therefore a rest unto the people of God.”
This is a genuine rest of peace that passes all understanding to keep our hearts and minds free. Yes -conditional to believe- the I Peter 188 verse declares that, "believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory(,"
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, beloved. Let us therefore fling ourselves upon the
Savior's bosom where he invites: "Come unto me,all ye that labor and are heav laden,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).
