Come Away
March 27th, 2006
Eric Clarke
Mark 6:30-33 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. NIV
This passage where the apostles report back to Jesus about “all they had done” is the follow up to the “short-term mission” He had sent the twelve on earlier in the chapter (verses 7-13). This then reflects the apostle’s return from their mission. Of course, as often happens, the business of everyday activities interferes with times of sharing and celebrating together. Jesus, recognizing this dilemma, calls the apostles to find a quiet place to rest and reflect on what they had accomplished.
I like the principle reflected here. Some have called it the discipline of solitude. It is the practice of finding time away from the pressures of life in order to refresh and restore our energies. It also allows us to have time together with God, uninterrupted by the endless demands of life. It is in those times that we find the Spirit speaking to our hearts, bringing peace, joy and insight to our spirits. I am encouraged to be purposeful in finding times of solitude, alone with God so that I might have fellowship with Him and He may be clearly heard without competing demands making it hard to discern His voice. Some find this solitude in nature walks, or on beaches. Others find it in their homes or on drives in their car. Since God is everywhere location is not as important as attitude.
Father, I praise you for your availability no matter where I am. May I intentionally seek to find time alone with you so that we can have a relationship that reflects the oneness you desire.
March 27th, 2006 at 5:52 pm
I really like the contrast that you can see between where we are in Leviticus and what Jesus is saying to the Pharisees. In Leviticus we see list after list of unclean and clean things. In Mark 7 the Pharisees try to call Jesus on doing some things that they consider unclean. Is this a matter of the Pharisees simply adding to the rules that God set down in Leviticus, or is it only a new covenant with God? Or is it a mixture of both?
March 29th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Shaun, thank you for your comment and question. Note that the writer of Mark calls the things the Pharisees were confronting “tradition of the elders” and later Jesus quotes Isaiah in calling these things “rules taught by men”. I think you are very perceptive in seeing that the Pharisees were trying to add to the things of God. Though God’s character does not change we can see that the way we approach Him changes with the new covenant as you noted. Great observations!