Withdrawing To Rest
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)
We’ve been talking a lot the last few days about Matthew chapter 11 and how Jesus says, if those of you who are weak and burdened would come to Him rather than try to do it all yourselves, then He would give you rest. I like that because Jesus is affirming rest as a sacred value.
That’s significant in this capitalistic, post-industrial, digital, dog-eat-dog world, where everyone is constantly connected, constantly trying to make a buck, and constantly on the go. God says rest is something He wants you to experience. It is so important that we understand how God realized that He Himself couldn’t work all the time—that after working six days, He rested on the seventh because it is when you rest that you find peace and solace, and you are able to replenish yourself for the remainder of the journey.
That’s why Jesus said, “learn of me” because throughout his ministry on Earth, he would often pull away from the crowds for solitude and rest. Time and time again after healing, teaching, preaching, casting out demons, and performing miracles, it was not uncommon for Jesus to take some personal time away from the disciples. In fact, Luke 5:16 says this, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” He says learn of me because he knew the importance of taking time to go apart and seek rest for our minds and bodies.
Are you prioritizing time to rest? Are you honoring the Sabbath and stepping away from your responsibilities and obligations to rest in the Lord? If not, I hope that you will follow the Lord Jesus’ example and begin making time to rest, just like He did. Because if Jesus took intentional time to prioritize resting, don’t you think we should do the same?
We’ve been talking a lot the last few days about Matthew chapter 11 and how Jesus says, if those of you who are weak and burdened would come to Him rather than try to do it all yourselves, then He would give you rest. I like that because Jesus is affirming rest as a sacred value.
That’s significant in this capitalistic, post-industrial, digital, dog-eat-dog world, where everyone is constantly connected, constantly trying to make a buck, and constantly on the go. God says rest is something He wants you to experience. It is so important that we understand how God realized that He Himself couldn’t work all the time—that after working six days, He rested on the seventh because it is when you rest that you find peace and solace, and you are able to replenish yourself for the remainder of the journey.
That’s why Jesus said, “learn of me” because throughout his ministry on Earth, he would often pull away from the crowds for solitude and rest. Time and time again after healing, teaching, preaching, casting out demons, and performing miracles, it was not uncommon for Jesus to take some personal time away from the disciples. In fact, Luke 5:16 says this, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” He says learn of me because he knew the importance of taking time to go apart and seek rest for our minds and bodies.
Are you prioritizing time to rest? Are you honoring the Sabbath and stepping away from your responsibilities and obligations to rest in the Lord? If not, I hope that you will follow the Lord Jesus’ example and begin making time to rest, just like He did. Because if Jesus took intentional time to prioritize resting, don’t you think we should do the same?
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