Come Rest Awhile
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had been envious of Christ when He seemed to be drawing the people
away from John. They had sided with the Pharisees in accusing Him
when He sat with the publicans at Matthew’s feast. They had doubted
His divine mission because He did not set the Baptist at liberty. But
now that their teacher was dead, and they longed for consolation in
their great sorrow, and for guidance as to their future work, they came
to Jesus, and united their interest with His. They too needed a season
of quiet for communion with the Saviour.
Near Bethsaida, at the northern end of the lake, was a lonely region,
now beautiful with the fresh green of spring, that offered a welcome
retreat to Jesus and His disciples. For this place they set out, going
in their boat across the water. Here they would be away from the
thoroughfares of travel, and the bustle and agitation of the city. The
scenes of nature were in themselves a rest, a change grateful to the
senses. Here they could listen to the words of Christ without hearing
the angry interruptions, the retorts and accusations of the scribes and
Pharisees. Here they could enjoy a short season of precious fellowship
in the society of their Lord.
The rest which Christ and His disciples took was not self-indulgent
rest. The time they spent in retirement was not devoted to pleasure
seeking. They talked together regarding the work of God, and the
possibility of bringing greater efficiency to the work. The disciples
had been with Christ, and could understand Him; to them He need not
talk in parables. He corrected their errors, and made plain to them the
right way of approaching the people. He opened more fully to them
the precious treasures of divine truth. They were vitalized by divine
power, and inspired with hope and courage.
Though Jesus could work miracles, and had empowered His disci-
ples to work miracles, He directed His worn servants to go apart into
the country and rest. When He said that the harvest was great, and the
laborers were few, He did not urge upon His disciples the necessity of
ceaseless toil, but said, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that
He will send forth laborers into His harvest.”
Matthew 9:38
. God has
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appointed to every man his work, according to his ability (
Ephesians
4:11-13
), and He would not have a few weighted with responsibilities
while others have no burden, no travail of soul.
Christ’s words of compassion are spoken to His workers today just
as surely as they were spoken to His disciples. “Come ye yourselves