The Quiet Place
Opening Prayer
Lord, lead me to a quiet place where I can go and rest in You.
Read Mark 6:30–44
30 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. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”
They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”
38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”
When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”
39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Where do you get your energy from? How do you find strength to do what you know you need to do?This is just one of the record-breaking days Jesus lived on a regular basis. First, he finds out that his cousin, John the Baptist, has been beheaded (27); the disciples have returned from ministry, eager to tell Jesus all about it (30); and now, just when they try to get away, a crowd clamors after them looking for more (33). Jesus has compassion on the crowd and begins to teach them throughout the day. Finally, it is already “very late” and the people are hungry (35). Jesus performs an incredible miracle and feeds thousands of people from one small lunch (41). We will read tomorrow that even then, his day isn’t done.
Where did all his strength come from? How did he not only make it through these situations, but also have the emotional fortitude to pour into so many others? We find the answer in verse 31: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” What was in the quiet place? Was it merely physical rest? Even though this time Jesus is interrupted in his purpose by the crowds, we will find the answer further on in the chapter.
When Jesus withdraws to a quiet place, his goal is meet with his Father and to draw strength from communion in prayer. Can you too find strength to face the day in communing with God?
Apply
Is the way difficult or painful? Follow Jesus’ example and find your strength by meeting with your heavenly Father.
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father, I need You. I cannot face the troubles of today unless You walk with me. Renew me in Your presence.
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