TO REST IS TO OBEY

One of the most important parts of Christ’s earthly ministry that is often overlooked is His command for His own disciples to rest. When we read the Gospels, they are always busy, always going somewhere, always surrounded by crowds, always serving. Perhaps that’s why many of us today think this is what the ideal godly life should look like—always busy in ministry, always going on missions to remote places, always in Bible studies until dawn, always having to do more for the Lord. In short, you must always be exhausted!

In Mark 6:31, we see Christ’s concern for His disciples: “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” There was so much to do that the disciples couldn’t even eat or rest. We might think Jesus should have been pleased with this—after all, they were so busy in ministry, serving so many people! But Jesus knew what was best at that moment: they had to step away from the crowd and take some rest. What about the people? What about the ministry? For Christ, they could wait. As the story continues, Jesus and the disciples withdrew from the crowd. Yet the people still followed them (v. 33). Out of compassion, Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the five thousand (vv. 35–44). There were even twelve baskets of leftovers filled with fish and bread. Why twelve? Why more than enough? It seems these were for His twelve apostles, who struggled to take a break and simply eat (v. 31). Christ did not forget His disciples, even in the presence of a demanding crowd. He cared for their well-being too.

I believe one of the biggest problems for believers active in ministry is that they fail to take rest seriously. Even today, rest is often demonized from the pulpit, as if it were a sin to rest, and so we think we must always be worn out! For many, resting is laziness, and some fear the Lord might be angry if He does not see us constantly busy. This may explain why so many of us end up burned out in church. Many quit serving because they can’t handle it anymore. Many in ministry become harsh, ineffective, and joyless in what they do. Brothers and sisters, resting is also obedience. We can be active in service, but not to the point of breaking. Christ commanded His followers to rest. At times, He Himself withdrew just to be alone with the Father and to rest and pray (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:15–16; etc.). Our Master is the Lord of the Sabbath (Matt 12:8), so as His disciples, He must also see us resting. His invitation to take a break, to rest, and to be alone with the Lord remains His word for us today.

Lord, let me enjoy my coffee with You.