Luther Seminary

A daily devotion brought to you by the alumni of Luther Seminary

Archives for July 20, 2012

Friday, July 20, 2012

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 (NRSV)

Read Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 on biblegateway.com

Verse 30The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. Verse 31He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Verse 32And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Verse 33Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. Verse 34As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Verse 53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. Verse 54When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, Verse 55and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Verse 56And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Devotion

Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while. These are the words of Jesus to his disciples in the reading from Mark for today. It reminds me of the importance of self-care and Sabbath living for all of us as we strive to be the hands and feet of Christ.

Somebody once told me that the best advice he ever heard was from a flight attendant. The advice, of course, is, "Put on your own oxygen mask before helping your neighbor." What wisdom lies in those few words! Jesus was calling the disciples back to him, to a place of peace and rest, where they could find wholeness and hope so that they could share that hope and wholeness with the world they were serving. How are you doing at caring for yourself, at coming back to Jesus for a while to be recharged? Remember, breathe in first before exerting all you have!

Prayer

God of rest and peace, grant us the courage to step away for a while and be refilled by your presence in our own lives so that we can love and serve as you have called us to do. Amen.

Justin Grimm Advent Lutheran Church, Lake Ann, Mich.