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Christ and the Twelve Take a Vacation
217
followed Him closely, and plots for His destruction were multiply-
ing.
News reached Herod of Jesus and His work. “This is John the
Baptist,” he said, “he is risen from the dead”; and he expressed a
desire to see Jesus. Herod was in constant fear of a revolution that
might overthrow him and break the Roman yoke from the Jewish
[164]
nation. Among the people, the spirit of revolt was everywhere. It
was evident that Christ’s public work in Galilee could not continue
long, and He yearned to get away from the confusion of the crowds
for a little while.
With saddened hearts, the disciples of John had carried his mu-
tilated body to its burial. Then they “went and told Jesus.” These
disciples had been envious of Christ and had doubted His divine
mission because He did not set the Baptist free. But now they longed
for consolation in their great sorrow and for guidance regarding their
future work. They came to Jesus and united their cause with His.
At the northern end of the lake was a lonely region, beautiful
with the fresh green of spring. They set out in their boat for this
place. The scenes of nature were a rest in themselves, refreshing
to the senses. Here they could listen to Christ without the angry
interruptions, rebuttals, and accusations of the scribes and Pharisees.
Rest Refreshed Them
Christ and His disciples did not devote the time they spent in
seclusion to pleasure seeking. They talked together regarding the
work of God and the possibility of g reater e ffectiveness. Christ
corrected their errors and made plain to them the right way of ap-
proaching the people. They were vitalized by divine power and
inspired with hope and courage.
When Jesus said that the harvest was great and the laborers few,
He did not urge endless work, but said, “Therefore pray the Lord
of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Matthew 9:38
.
God would not have a few workers crushed with responsibilities
while others have no burden, no urgency of heart.
Christ’s words of compassion apply to His workers today:
“Come aside by yourselves ... and rest a while.” It is not wise
to be always under the strain of ministering to other people’s spir-