What a miracle! Jesus multiplied the fish and barley loaves so that everyone was fed, with leftovers galore. The sheer number of people who experienced that miraculous feeding boggles the mind. This time, since the crowd recognized Jesus as the “prophet” they had been waiting for, Jesus had to slip away to avoid being crowned king. That was not his earthly mission.
Yes, Jesus is our King of kings, but his kingdom is not of this world. The people seeking him and following after him in those days had no idea about Jesus true mission as their Messiah. All the healings and signs and wonders had created the atmosphere of excitement and anticipation of being rescued from the oppressive Roman government ruling their land. That had to be so front of mind for them.
Not only was Jesus trying to diffuse a situation that was not meant to be, but he was also known to slip away when he needed his time with His Father. That’s a good example for us to follow when we are facing our own giants. Making our quiet time with God a priority can only help diffuse difficult situations. While problems may still exist, the peace God gives us when we keep him close is hard to describe. It keeps you fueled and going.
In this regard, Philippians 4:6-7 are good verses to memorize. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Can you imagine Jesus talking to God like that–telling God what he needed and not feeling worried because God’s power was with him? I’m sure Jesus would have needed refreshment of spirit after so much healing and miracle power was flowing. Being one with the Father has a rejuvenating effect for even Jesus.
I’ve been thankful for my own respite and refreshment received during a recent trip to the U.S. We totally “slipped away” from our familiar lives in Mexico and had more time to connect with God because our daily tasks changed. It’s in times of challenge that we can lean into God more than normal. If normal is daily time with God, have you ever tried having hourly time with God? It’s comforting. Even if for only a few seconds, it’s best to close out the world and realize you are exactly where you need to be in this moment. Nothing else deserves your attention, as if everything pauses for that moment with God. Permit yourself to take frequent breaks. Jesus did
There’s a lot more in this reading than just our need for rest, but it’s the message that struck me today. I suppose it is because I’m feeling exhausted and know I’m not alone. Many people are burning the candle at both ends, caring for a loved one or enduring sleepless nights because of babies or puppies. Others are caught up in one drama or another, zapping them. When was the last time you “slipped away” with God for some quality time together?
God called our perfect rest Sabbath. One of his commandments even says we should keep it “holy.” So, we have good reason to want to honor the Sabbath. God knew way back then, when he gave Moses the law, that his people would need to rest in Him to be recharged and ready for life and life eternal. If He commanded it, you’d think more of us would honor that Sabbath regularly.
Think about this. Jesus fed the five thousand men, plus women and children, and that was a tangible sign of his power. Isn’t it time you let Jesus feed you during your quiet time? After all, He is the bread of life, and you will never go hungry. It’s time to slip away!
Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for the great example you showed of the need to slip away and have time with God. I thank you for the honor of coming to you, resting in you, and feeling renewed energy coming into my body. You always amaze me with your never-ending provision of grace. Forgive me for forgetting to seek and ask for it at times. I lay my burdens at your feet, Lord, and am comforted by your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
