When you hear someone say, "I need some down time," they are most likely saying, "I need some time where I can engage in that which interests me and with those of whom I deem worthy to be with me at that point." As a mother of four little ones and wife of a headmaster of a Christian school, let me assure you I know the definition of busy, and I enjoy any "down time" I get!
The Bible tells us in Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-43, and Luke 9:10-17 (same story told from these men's different perspectives) that Jesus also needed some "down time." Let's see how we compare.
The disciples had just taken a quick tour of Jewish communities to preach and heal as a proclamation of the Messianic Age (The Teacher's Bible Commentary by Paschall and Hobbs, Luke 9). On this trip, they heard of the death of John the Baptist and gave him a proper burial. Upon their return, they had to inform Jesus of His cousin's death. Not only are Jesus and the disciples exhausted from their respective missions, but, with the news of John's death, Jesus also knows that the time of his own death is closer. Jesus needed some down time. Mark 6:30 quotes Jesus, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile." So they took a cruise to an exotic island. Ok, not really. They boarded a dirty, smelly fishing boat and took a short trip across the Sea of Galilee to a deserted place. It was here where Jesus was going to pour His heart out to His Father in solitude seeking spiritual renewal to continue His work for the Kingdom.
The crowds could see where the boat was headed and took off on foot along the shore lines, many reaching His destination before Him. (I'm talking eight miles on foot compared to four miles on the boat! They really wanted to be with Jesus!) When the disciples saw them, they suggested to send the crowds away (I hear what you're sayin', boys!). But Jesus saw the "great multitude and was moved with compassion for them" (Mark 6:34).
Jesus' just learned that His cousin had been beheaded, and the realization that His time was drawing near had just surfaced, -all this, not to mention the non-stop healing and teaching. Jesus deserved some alone time with His Heavenly Father more than ever, but he chose to focus His compassion on others and not Himself. He spent the day taking action to further the Kingdom of God with more healing and teaching. When it was supper time, the disciples wanted to send the crowds away again (again, I feel your pain! Healing and preaching is all cool, but now you want me to serve meals to them? Let me just interject here that I would have made a great disciple!), but Jesus chose to feed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. Once the people were taken care of, only then did Jesus continue up the mountain for His time alone with God.
Wow! I don't know about you, but my "down time" is not usually about prayer and spiritual renewal, and it's certainly not about meeting the needs of others- in fact, that's usually what I'm trying to get away from!
Jesus mission was to advance the kingdom of Heaven at all costs. His down time was spent consulting God on His next mission. So put down your iphone, turn off the tv, and unplug the computer and use that time to receive your next assignment from God. Let's retrain ourselves to align our down time with seeking out how we can be used of God to continue His work on earth. What will you do for Jesus?
Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." KJV
Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." NKJV
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