Keep Thinking

‘Come Ye Apart’

St Marks Gospel chapter 6, verse 31

As I write this it is very near to the Summer Solstice

or the ‘Longest day’ as we sometimes say and with

the end of the school year not far away people’s

thoughts are turning to their holidays or short breaks.

In fact my wife tell me that I think of little else.

It’s very different now that we have retired, but when we

 were both working, the summer holiday with the family

 was something we all looked forward to with enthusiasm.

 I firmly believe that if one has worked hard during the

 year, whatever the job, out to work or the housewife

in the home, some time of relaxation away form

the everyday toil is important, and the more stressful

 the occupation the more a complete break is appreciated.

Jesus was well aware of the importance of a break from

the stresses of life! In the sixth chapter of Mark’s Gospel

we read that He invited His disciples to ‘come with Him’,

away from the troubles they had recently faced.

In the chapter Jesus and the disciples went to Nazareth and

when He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath and tried

to preach the people rejected Him and he was unable to

work miracles in the town.

Our Lord sent the disciples out in pairs to spread the good news. They were able to heal the sick and drive out devils, and when they returned to Jesus they were excited with what the Spirit had enabled them to achieve but were, no doubt, exhausted. Their Master realized this and invited them to come with Him to a lonely place where they could quietly rest.

As Christians we all need our ‘quiet times’ to rest and be refreshed. Jesus did not tell His friends to go away on their own but to come with Him. Whether at home or on holiday we should be with Jesus for our rest, and then we can be refreshed in body and in spirit.

Happy holiday to you all. John Thomas Accredited Local Preacher