SCRIPTURE
"When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land." (Mark 6:47)
OBSERVATION
Jesus had a busy day of ministry. So many people were coming to him, and his disciples, they did not even have a chance to eat. They moved to another location. People saw them leaving and ran on foot from all the towns to get there ahead of them. Jesus arrived and began teaching. It was getting late and the people had not yet eaten, so he fed them (5,000 men).
Whew. What a day. Traveling, feeding, teaching. But then Jesus does something vital to his relationship with his Father. He sent the disciples, by boat, on ahead to Bethsaida while he remained on land. He dismissed the crowd and went up on the mountainside to pray. Throughout Mark 6, he took charge of his schedule. He ministered when he needed to but also withdrew when he need to. He was busy but not hurried. Earlier in the day, he invited his disciples to, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (6:31)
APPLICATION
If Jesus found it important to withdraw in prayer how much more should I?. I can be very hurried but hurriedness does not allow for great communication with God. I need to find time, "alone on land", dismiss the crowds, and pray. Jesus invites me to come with him by myself to a quiet place.
PRAYER
Lord, help me find the quiet places where I can spend time with you.
