Mark 6:30-34 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 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.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 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.
In the above account we see Jesus concerned about his disciples' weariness. We know Jesus the man of flesh was also susceptible to weariness: Now he (Jesus) had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, TIRED as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. (John 4:4-6) But, his first concern was for his disciples, for others. We see this theme carried out throughout Jesus' ministry: Jesus exhausting himself for the sake of others. Later on in Mark, chapter six, after He feeds the 5,000, we will see Jesus directing his disciples to go across the lake while He stays to say goodbye to the people. The disciples proceed to the boat, but Jesus stays around to deal with the crowd. Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. (Mark 6:45-46) After a day of ministry to the people's needs, Jesus must have been bone tired. But Jesus does not go with the disciples to rest on the other side of the lake; neither does He go up on the mountainside to lie down and relax. No, after dealing with the people, He immediately begins to pray. Fervent prayer alone can be exhausting. How many times have you fallen asleep while praying, especially if you prayed for an extended period of time. Many of us have trouble finishing our abbreviated nighttime prayers before somnolence arrives. Sustained prayer in the Spirit is most often fatiguing. As we look at Jesus, we see his concerns for others as more important than the needs of his body. As He said: For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
How many of us approach life with the focus of loving others first before meeting the needs of our bodies, our own personal needs? How many of us are willing to be servants as Jesus describes in Luke 17. Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, "Come along now and sit down to eat"? Would he not rather say, "Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink"? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty." (Luke 17:7-10) Are you looking after your master's concerns first before your needs? Jesus willingly sacrificed his life for us, and we too are to place our lives on the altar for our brothers and sisters. We are to be ready to manifest the goodness of the Lord to the world by serving the needs of others. This word is difficult for anyone of us to swallow wholeheartedly, for we have only one life to live, and we have many hopes and dreams for ourselves. If we live our lives for others, what about our physical and emotional needs? What about our rest? Consider this: the Lord has given each of us a life to live, talents to use. If we use our energy, giftings, and strength for him, we will please the Lord; consequently, we will find great joy in living each day, for our lives will be purposeful and rewarding. However, If we hide ourselves among the lethargic, self-serving, and hedonistic, we will miss out on God's purpose for us. We will also see that in the midst of living for God and committing to him, He provides what we need. That is why Jesus told the people not to worry about what they would eat or what they would wear because God would take care of them. He said, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 KJV)
Jesus is our example. He had experienced yet another exhausting day, but when He saw the crowd waiting for him, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. He could not ignore the needs of the people--they had his heart. When we are exhausted and weary of doing good, we must remember what Paul wrote: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:7-10) Breakfast companions, catch your second wind; hear the Spirit. Let him direct your steps to the next task, the next person needing your love, encouragement, and gentle care. You will find your life fruitful; you will be a blessing to many. Jesus in you is your hope of glory: through your servanthood, Jesus will be revealed as the Shepherd of the sheep. And one day you will be blessed to hear the Lord say, Well done, good and faithful servant! Until that glorious day, we offer you Paul's prayer: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:16-21)
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