“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. ³¹ 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.” ³² So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. ³³ But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. ³⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. ³⁵ By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. ³⁶ Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

³⁷ But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” ³⁸ “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”  Mark 6:30-38

The disciples return from their tandem mission, and they report all that they were able to do. Jesus listens to their stories, and he sends them to a deserted place so they can rest. Ministry is hard, and we need to take time to refresh and renew. Then Jesus feeds the 5000, and he sends the disciples off in a boat while he goes up a mountain to pray. Jesus not only gave the disciples time to rest, but he models for them how necessary that rest is, even for the teachers. The work of Jesus Christ is demanding and tiring and requires the individual to find time for Sabbath. 

What is Sabbath time? Yes, Sabbath time is worship on the Sabbath. But Sabbath time is also taking time throughout the week for spiritual renewal: time for prayer, time for rest, and time for devotions is required of all disciples if we are to continue to do the work of Jesus Christ. How good are your efforts to find Sabbath time for yourself? Don’t wait until you are face down and fractured: find the time in your life for Sabbath.

Pastor Dave

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. ⁷ Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. ⁸ These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. ⁹ Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. ¹⁰ Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. ¹¹ And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” ¹² They went out and preached that people should repent. ¹³ They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” Mark 6:6b-13

The disciples are sent out with basic instructions and bare necessities. They are to heal the sick, cast out demons, and teach people to repent. Their mission and our mission is very simple – to proclaim the good news – to continue the work of Jesus Christ that brings the gospel to those who need to hear it. The agenda is not a difficult one – but keeping “our personal agendas” separate from Christ’s individual calling for discipleship can be difficult. We are not to engage in ministry for our own personal need for prestige or influence. Rather we are to go with nothing except the basics – our selves, our time, and our possessions. G-d will provide everything else we need for the mission, and the journey.

Pastor Dave