Rest: Mark 6:30-32
Ministry utilizes a cyclical nature. A great analogy Jesus frequently uses for the work of the kingdom of God is agriculture. We begin when a seed of truth is planted within us. The first thing to happen to the seed is nurture and growth. Once the seed matures into a plant, the work towards a harvest begins in earnest. Eventually the work ends and the harvest is reaped. After the harvest, the ground is allowed to rest. Then the process begins anew the next season as seeds of truth are planted, we mature a bit more, we work, the harvest is collected, etc.
This process happened in the disciples. When they first came to Jesus, the seed of truth was planted within. They grew as Jesus discipled them while they listened and learned and asked questions. They matured. When the time was right, Jesus sent them out to begin to work for a harvest. After doing God’s work, the disciples return to Jesus and are excited about what they’ve taught and what they’ve had authority to do. They want Jesus to know the good things they were able to accomplish. They want Jesus to know the authority with which Jesus entrusted them was used properly. They want Jesus to hear about the harvest they reaped.
As the disciples return and tell Jesus what happened, Jesus knows the next stage for them is to rest and prepare for the next cycle. At the same time, Jesus perceives that people with needs are still coming and going. The disciples’ time with Jesus continues to get interrupted so much they aren’t even able to find time to eat! Know the disciples' need to have rest after the harvest, Jesus tells His disciples to follow Him into a boat to transition to a more desolate place with fewer people in need.
Beyond the physical need for rest, time for reflection is beneficial while we rest. People doing God’s work are frequently changed as much if not more than the people who were served. Obedience to God changes the obedient. Through our service to others, we learn about who God wants us to become. We learn about what we enjoy, where we struggled, what was difficult. After serving, we need time to reflect and take in what God is doing within us. Those with a mentor might need time to use the mentor as a sounding board and hear the mentor’s thoughts and encouragement. Just like ground that needs to be fallow for a season after producing a harvest, we need time to think, reflect, and prepare.
Jesus knows the importance to having a cycle in ministry. We are fed the truth. We grow. We are called to go out and do. We then relax, recuperate, and get ready to start the cycle all over. Jesus sees this dynamic among His disciples and knows what they need having completed a harvest. They need rest in a desolate place. Ministry utilizes a cyclical nature.
