Thankful that Jesus brings rest and peace to his children

For the last 10 plus months I have had the joy and privilege of serving as vacancy pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida. Their previous pastor took a call elsewhere last summer. Kathy and I arrived in Gainesville September 11. One of the joys of my work is that this is the congregation where I grew up, and the congregation which sent me away to study to be a pastor. So, I am serving a place I know, and serving people I care about. What a privilege! What a joy!

However, as I prepare to leave for 6 weeks of time at home in Alaska, I’m trying to get a lot done, in addition to my regular weekly tasks. I stayed in Florida until the end of July so I could help with Vacation Bible School. This Monday through Friday children are running around at night, and adults are studying and sharing, during this time of growth and fellowship. I’m supposed to be half-time in my position, so I often do not come to the office on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays, or even half a day Wednesday. But this week . . . I’m here every day.

Recently, I have been visiting a long-time church member whom I remember from over 50 years ago. Over the last few weeks she declined rapidly and passed away last Friday. I now have the privilege of bringing Jesus to the celebration of her life this coming Saturday afternoon.

In addition, the reason I have served First Lutheran is to help get them through their time without a permanent, settled pastor, and to shepherd them until a new man arrives. This past Sunday night and Monday we hosted and visited with our prime pastoral candidate, Rev. Jay Winters of Tallahassee. Therefore, First Lutheran has scheduled a congregational meeting for this Sunday, July 28, after worship. The purpose of this meeting is to pray and then to vote on calling Pastor Winters to First Lutheran. If God works this gift of grace, I will personally feel joy that the Lord used me in the task to which I was called. I am encouraged. I am hoping. I am praying.

But, I am older than I once was. This is a BUSY WEEK. I confess to being a little weary. If you worshiped in a liturgical Christian congregational last Sunday you heard the assigned Gospel lesson from Mark 6, which shared the account of Jesus feeding the 5000. What an amazing miracle! However, perhaps you missed what came earlier in the reading. Jesus had previously sent His disciples out two by two to proclaim the gospel and to heal. The disciples had returned. As they shared with Jesus all their stories, this was His response, according to Mark 6:31 (NIV). “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.’"

It should not be a surprise that the disciples needed rest. Our Lord gave a commandment, for our own good, based on the rhythms with which He created, a commandment which calls for rest. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Exodus 20:8) I personally understand the part in Sunday’s Gospel lesson about “they did not even have a chance to eat.” We all need time to stop the work and the craziness, in order to rest in body, soul, and mind.

I also believe people may miss THE source of such rest to which this Bible reading points. Jesus says, “‘Come with ME.” JESUS is the source of rest. When we are weary from work, the Sabbath reminds us that GOD provides! When we are troubled with life troubles ‘nothing can separate us from the Love of God.’ (Romans 8:31-39). When we have failed and sinned and are burdened with guilt, “The blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7 b) As Jesus taught and encouraged His followers during His time on earth, "Come to ME, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) JESUS is the source of rest!

Interestingly, last Sunday’s Epistle lesson taught the same truth, as we are reminded that JESUS is our peace! 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, (Ephesians 2:13-15)

Kathy, my wife, has pointed out to me once or twice 😊 that I make my own decisions about time and work. I love serving my Lord as a shepherd for His people, and I love the people I serve. I think about work as I think of a dinner. I don’t want to run out of food! I’d rather have a little too much than too little. When serving as pastor, I would rather do a little too much, rather than hold back on bringing faith and love from Jesus.

This Sunday in worship, we will hear that, in the midst of trials, in the midst of chaos, in the midst of busy-ness, Jesus continues to love us as Lord and Savior. I pray that you hear and know Jesus who calls us to peace and to rest. “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."