Rest Interrupted

Rest Interrupted

Mark 6:30-44

Good morning.

I want you to think about the kind of rest you hope to get when you have nothing urgent to wake up for, the next morning.

You think, tomorrow is a day with nothing planned, so you go to bed with little to dwell on, thinking you are going to get good rest; but, then something wakes you up and disturbs your sleep.

The Lifebridge Health website says, “Don’t take a good night’s sleep for granted. It’s more important for your overall health than you may think.

Sleepiness throughout the day after minimal shut-eye isn’t the only possible consequence.

Other problems may include those that affect your immune system, thought process and cardiovascular health.

In addition to daytime sleepiness, missing or interrupted sleep can cause: irritability, decreased creativity, increased stress, decreased accuracy, tremors, aches, and memory lapses or loss.

It can even cause symptoms similar to ADHD and contribute to increased heart rate and risk of heart disease and stroke.

Less than ideal sleep also can lead to an impaired immune system. When you lack sleep, your body makes fewer proteins that help fight inflammation and infection.

Please open your Bibles to Mark 6 as we continue that study

Last week, we learned how Herod Antipas had murdered John the Baptist and how he then believed Jesus was John the Baptist, risen from the dead.

John the Baptist spoke out against Herod’s illegal marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

When Herod’s birthday was celebrated, Salome, the daughter of Herodias, came in before the king and his attendants and pleased them with a seductive dance.

In his excitement over his step daughter’s dance, Herod promised to give Salome whatever she desired.

So, the head of John the Baptist was given to Salome and she took it to her wicked, adulterous, mom.

We learned that our proper response to the knowledge that Jesus already knows about our sin, is to swallow our pride, turn from our sinful behavior, and run to Jesus; which is repentance.

Today we will learn what happened when the Apostles returned, after being sent out by Jesus with special power for ministry.

I. Down-time with the Lord.

Read Mark 6:30-32

Most commentators believe the news about the death of John the Baptist had reached Jesus before the Disciples returned from their mission.

As the Disciples told Jesus about all they had done and taught on their mission; they also let Jesus know they were living and serving at a relentless pace.

Jesus cares enough about His followers to notice what is going with them. He could tell by their report, their appearance, and by their voices, the Disciples were tired and worn.

Jesus knew the Disciples needed rest; but, they did not need just any rest, they needed rest and fellowship with Him!

Notice vs. 31, Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while

Not only did Jesus show compassion for His Disciples, He was also trying to teach them an important lesson about timing.

Jesus said in John 5:17, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." NKJV

There is a time to serve and a time to rest; both are important.

Notice vs. 31 says that there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

Like many other times where Jesus was ministering; the crowds show up in such large numbers and Jesus and His Disciples are overran, not even having time for their own basic needs.

In Matthew 9:37, it says, “Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” NKJV

It is important to seek the Lord’s direction in order to get the timing correct, when to work, when to wait, and when to rest.

There are of course differing personalities within Christians; some are workers and others can be less motivated to serve.

Some Christ followers fail to realize, rest is as important in our lives, as working for the Lord.

J. R. Edwards said, “The greater the demands on them, the greater their need to be alone with Jesus.”

There are times when we may have to give up what seems like an immediate need and resist the temptation to set our own timeline, as we surrender to God’s timing.

Adam Clarke said, “Rest is necessary for those who labor; and a zealous preacher of the Gospel will as often stand in need of it as a galley slave.”

Rest in the Lord, is freedom from work, toil, strain or activity; it is the cessation of motion or action of any kind; it is a rest from labor, from mental exertion or rest of body or mind.

A body is at rest, when it ceases to move. The mind is at rest, when it ceases to be disturbed or agitated.