Jesus offers a welcome place to ‘get some rest’

Last Sunday night, Al Kastar and I led worship at Palmer Correctional Center just outside Sutton. Many of you know that St. John has been providing worship opportunities for prisoners in this institution for more than 20 years. We had six men attending worship for most of the service last Sunday, which is actually a pretty good number.

The Bible study we conducted last Sunday night was based on the assigned Gospel lesson for that day, Mark 6:30-44. This reading primarily shares the account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish. But we never quite got to that story in our Bible study. Their attention was captivated by what Jesus said in Mark 6:31, which reads, “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.’”

Maybe you can identify with the busyness that Jesus and his disciples faced so that they didn’t even have time to eat. But what really captured the attention of those attending worship was the statement of Jesus to “come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

These men were moved by Jesus’ personal offer to come with him. They discussed having a “quiet place” in life with the lord. The real fun began when the discussion turned to situations in life that challenge us, and the gift and strength this quiet place with Jesus provides.

Have you faced personal failure or sinned in a way that especially caused difficulty in your relationship with God? Consider Jesus’ offer.

Do you have family concerns? Jesus calls you, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Are you facing times of doubt or temptation? Jesus was not only speaking to the disciples, he is speaking to us; “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

When God talks about rest in Scripture, he is not just talking about sleep or physical rest. Yes, the Sabbath was created as planned rest for God’s people. But rest and peace ultimately come through the saving acts of God in Jesus. When we repent and believe in Jesus and receive the forgiveness won by Jesus on the cross, we find peace with God. We have eternal rest in heaven because Jesus didn’t just pay for our sin, he also rose again. Jesus tells us to come away with him because he is the ultimate source of rest. That is one reason why a regular worship and devotional life is so important.

I was surprised that our Bible study last Sunday night went longer than normal and we hardly even got to discuss the account of the feeding of the 5,000. But the offer to spend personal time alone with Jesus was too wonderful for these men to pass up.

During the summer months in Alaska, even though school is out of session, people tend to do more and do it longer because of the long hours of light. Do you need rest? Remember, real rest is found through faith in Jesus, through his forgiveness and salvation. His offer is there for you too: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Jonathan Rockey is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Contact him at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

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