When the apostles returned [from their teaching and healing mission], they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he slipped quietly away with them toward the town of Bethsaida.
—Luke 9:10 NLT
Jesus often worked to give his disciples some quiet downtime. With the pressures of the crowd, their own experience with ministry, the teaching Jesus was giving them, and the pressures of everyday living, they needed rest. So do we! As the next verses reveal, [1] sometimes that rest for Jesus and the disciples had to wait till more pressing people-concerns were addressed, but Jesus made clear that he does want us to rest and recuperate — both to return us to useful service and also to give us time alone in his presence.
[1] Luke 9:11-17.
Father, please help me balance my responsibilities, opportunities, and rest more responsibly. Please use me mightily, but also convict me when I'm focused too much on being busy and not enough on being with you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Luke 9:10 NLT
Key Thought
Jesus often worked to give his disciples some quiet downtime. With the pressures of the crowd, their own experience with ministry, the teaching Jesus was giving them, and the pressures of everyday living, they needed rest. So do we! As the next verses reveal, [1] sometimes that rest for Jesus and the disciples had to wait till more pressing people-concerns were addressed, but Jesus made clear that he does want us to rest and recuperate — both to return us to useful service and also to give us time alone in his presence.
[1] Luke 9:11-17.
Today's Prayer
Father, please help me balance my responsibilities, opportunities, and rest more responsibly. Please use me mightily, but also convict me when I'm focused too much on being busy and not enough on being with you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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