When Christ had first called His twelve disciples, He soon sent them out to do missionary work. “[Jesus] called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; . . . and they went out, and preached that men should repent” (Mark 6:7, 12).

It was when the twelve had returned from this missionary tour that Jesus saw it was already necessary to tell them: “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat” (verse 31).

In a lonely region near Bethsaida, Christ took His disciples to a place where “they would be away from the thoroughfares of travel, and the bustle and agitation of the city. The scenes of nature were in themselves a rest, a change grateful to the senses. Here they could listen to the words of Christ without hearing the angry interruptions, the retorts and accusations of the scribes and Pharisees. Here they could enjoy a short season of precious fellowship in the society of their Lord.”1

For what specific reasons did Christ call these men aside to rest - and what spiritual lessons can we learn from this?

First of all, Christ called His disciples apart to provide them with instruction.

“The rest which Christ and His disciples took was not self-indulgent rest. The time they spent in retirement was not devoted to pleasure seeking. They talked together regarding the work of God, and the possibility of bringing greater efficiency to the work.”2

“Jesus had called His disciples that He might send them forth as His witnesses, to declare to the world what they had seen and heard of Him. They were to be workers together with God for the saving of the world.”3

In order to witness for Christ, the disciples had to come apart with Jesus to spend time with Him, to learn and receive instruction from His lips. This is one of the reasons why they were called apart to rest. “(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowshipis with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:2, 3).

Based on Strong’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament, the definitions for “seen” and for “fellowship” are the following:

Seen (Horao). To behold, to perceive, to see with the eyes, to become acquainted with by experience, to experience.

Fellowship (Koinonia). Fellowship, communion, community, communicate, joint participation, association.

After the disciples had spent time in communion with Jesus and had personally seen and heard Him, they would be better prepared to labor more effectively in His cause. The Word of God declares: “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 43:10).

We are to be workers together with God in presenting Jesus to the world. We are to be the channel to communicate to humanity the good news of salvation. This is why Christ is calling us to come apart and rest with Him - not for the purpose of spending time in the pleasures of this world, but that the Lord may impart to us His wisdom to better fit us to win souls for His kingdom.

“By daily communion with God [the laborer for Christ] becomes mighty in a knowledge of the Scriptures. His fellowship is with the Father and the Son; and as he constantly obeys the divine will, he becomes daily better fitted to speak words that will guide wandering souls to the fold of Christ.”4

“He who called the fisherman of Galilee is still calling men to His service. And He is just as willing to manifest His power through us as through the first disciples. However imperfect and sinful we may be, the Lord holds out to us the offer of partnership with Himself, of apprenticeship to Christ. He invites us to come under the divine instruction, that, uniting with Christ, we may work the works of God.”5

It is God’s will that “above all things . . . thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 2).

“Health is a blessing of which few appreciate the value; yet upon it the efficiency of our mental and physical powers largely depends. . . . By allowing ourselves to form wrong habits

. . . by overworking mind or body, we unbalance the nervous system. Those who thus shorten their lives and unfit themselves for service by disregarding nature’s laws, are guilty of robbery toward God. And they are robbing their fellow men also. The opportunity of blessing others, the very work for which God sent them into the world, has by their own course of action been cut short.”6

Jesus is calling us to come apart from our busy schedule of work in order to rest. When our life is absorbed with a lot of anxiety and cares, the Bible compares us to the seed that fell among the thorns and gave not fruit. Why? Because the cares of this world choke the word. In the parable of the sower, “some [gospel seed] fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. . . . And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful” (Mark 4:7, 18, 19).

“That [seed] which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection” (Luke 8:14).

The only way that we as Christians can bear fruit is by abiding in Jesus Christ. This is explained in John 15:4-6.

Another vital and essential reason we are called to rest is to be fed. Sometimes we are so involved in our work that we even forget when it is time to eat. When this happens, there is an object lesson in it for us. Jesus says, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed” (John 6:27).

“Seek not merely for material benefit. Let it not be the chief effort to provide for the life that now is, but seek for spiritual food, even that wisdom which will endure unto everlasting life. This the Son of God alone can give.”7

“As our physical life is sustained by food, so our spiritual life is sustained by the word of God. And every soul is to receive life from God’s word for himself. As we must eat for ourselves in order to receive nourishment, so we must receive the word for ourselves. We are not to obtain it merely through the medium of another’s mind. We should carefully study the Bible, asking God for the aid of the Holy Spirit, that we may understand His word.”8

What prevents us from partaking of the Bread of Life? Too often it is the deceitfulness of riches. We should not be so engaged in our business that it hinders us from seeking and serving God properly. This is one of the reasons why the gospel seed is so often choked and unable to bear fruit - self-ambition gets in the way. Even among us who believe in the soon return of Christ, there are lovers of mammon. Our Lord clearly warns us to avoid “the deceitfulness of riches” (Mark 4:19).

The Word further admonishes, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.” “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent” (Proverbs 23:4; 28:20).

“They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:9, 10, 7, 8).

“Christians must work, they must engage in business, and they can do this without committing sin. But many become so absorbed in business that they have no time for prayer, no time for the study of the Bible, no time to seek and serve God. At times the longings of the soul go out for holiness and heaven; but there is no time to turn aside from the din of the world to listen to the majestic and authoritative utterances of the Spirit of God. The things of eternity are made subordinate, the things of the world supreme. It is impossible for the seed of the word to bring forth fruit; for the life of the soul is given to nourish the thorns of worldliness.

“And many who are working with a very different purpose, fall into a like error. They are working for others’ good; their duties are pressing, their responsibilities are many, and they allow their labor to crowd out devotion. Communion with God through prayer and a study of His word is neglected. They forget that Christ has said, ‘Without Me ye can do nothing’ (John 15:5). They walk apart from Christ, their life is not pervaded by His grace, and the characteristics of self are revealed.”9

“In too many households prayer is neglected. Parents feel that they have no time for morning and evening worship. They cannot spare a few moments to be spent in thanksgiving to God for His abundant mercies - for the blessed sunshine and the showers of rain, which cause vegetation to flourish, and for the guardianship of holy angels.”10

“If ever there was a time when every house should be a house of prayer, it is now. Infidelity and skepticism prevail. Iniquity abounds. Corruption flows in the vital currents of the soul, and rebellion against God breaks out in the life. . . .

“In every family there should be a fixed time for morning and evening worship. How appropriate it is for parents to gather their children about them before the fast is broken, to thank the heavenly Father for His protection during the night, and to ask Him for His help and guidance and watchcare during the day! How fitting, also, when evening comes, for parents and children to gather once more before Him and thank Him for the blessings of the day that is past!”11

The Lord is asking for a reformation in our homes. This should be our first work.

“Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, ‘Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.’ This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.”12

In the Bible there is an experience that reflects the life of many of us today: “Now it came to pass, as [Jesus and His disciples] went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).

“The ‘one thing’ that Martha needed was a calm, devotional spirit, a deeper anxiety for knowledge concerning the future, immortal life, and the graces necessary for spiritual advancement. She needed less anxiety for the things which pass away, and more for those things which endure forever. Jesus would teach His children to seize every opportunity of gaining that knowledge which will make them wise unto salvation.”13

Again Christ admonishes us: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares” (Luke 21:34).

Another aspect of coming apart to rest with Jesus involves the importance of church fellowship. Christ has a body on this earth, yet some have the idea that they do not need to come to church and fellowship week after week with fellow believers. Those who are seeking communion with God will come to His house of worship to fellowship with the Lord and with one another. “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

The experience of the early church is described as follows: “[The believers] continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. . . . And all that believed were together, and had all things common . . . and they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:42, 44, 46, 47).

The scriptures encourage us to continue meeting together as the second coming of Christ approaches. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). This implies assembling more frequently the closer we get to the end of earth’s history.

“There is necessity for diligence in prayer; let nothing hinder you. Make every effort to keep open the communion between Jesus and your own soul. Seek every opportunity to go where prayer is wont to be made. Those who are really seeking for communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting, faithful to do their duty and earnest and anxious to reap all the benefits they can gain. They will improve every opportunity of placing themselves where they can receive the rays of light from heaven.”14

What is the greatest benefit that anyone can obtain for having a personal communion with Jesus? In the Old Testament we have the experience of one who knew and understood the importance of communing with God. We read that “Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24).

“In the midst of a life of active labor, Enoch steadfastly maintained his communion with God. The greater and more pressing his labors, the more constant and earnest were his prayers. He continued to exclude himself, at certain periods, from all society. After remaining for a time among the people, laboring to benefit them by instruction and example, he would withdraw, to spend a season in solitude, hungering and thirsting for that divine knowledge which God alone can impart. Communing thus with God, Enoch came more and more to reflect the divine image. His face was radiant with a holy light, even the light that shineth in the face of Jesus. As he came forth from these divine communings, even the ungodly beheld with awe the impress of heaven upon his countenance.”15

“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).

“For three hundred years Enoch had been seeking purity of soul, that he might be in harmony with Heaven. For three centuries he had walked with God. Day by day he had longed for a closer union; nearer and nearer had grown the communion, until God took him to Himself. He had stood at the threshold of the eternal world, only a step between him and the land of the blest; and now the portals opened, the walk with God, so long pursued on earth, continued, and he passed through the gates of the Holy City.”16

“To such communion [as Enoch had] God is calling us. As was Enoch’s, so must be their holiness of character who shall be redeemed from among men at the Lord’s second coming.”17

“‘There [went] a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed’ (Luke 5:15, 16).“No other life was ever so crowded with labor and responsibility as was that of Jesus; yet how often He was found in prayer! How constant was His communion with God! Again and again in the history of His earthly life are found records such as these: ‘Rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.’ . . . ‘And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God’ (Mark 1:35; 6:12).

“In a life wholly devoted to the good of others, the Saviour found it necessary to withdraw from the thoroughfares of travel and from the throng that followed Him day after day. He must turn aside from a life of ceaseless activity and contact with human needs, to seek retirement and unbroken communion with His Father. As one with us, a sharer in our needs and weaknesses, He was wholly dependent upon God, and in the secret place of prayer He sought divine strength, that He might go forth braced for duty and trial. In a world of sin Jesus endured struggles and torture of soul. In communion with God He could unburden the sorrows that were crushing Him. Here He found comfort and joy. . . .

“As a man He supplicated the throne of God till His humanity was charged with a heavenly current that should connect humanity with divinity. Through continual communion He received life from God, that He might impart life to the world. His experience is to be ours.”18

If Jesus saw in His life that it was necessary to come apart and rest awhile with the Father, how much more necessary is it for us today? The Lord urgently appeals to us: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

“There is need that God’s chosen workmen should listen to the command to go apart and rest awhile. Many valuable lives have been sacrificed because of a disregard of this command. . . .

“When a laborer has been under a heavy pressure of care and anxiety, and is overworked in both body and mind, he should turn aside and rest awhile, not for selfish gratification, but that he may be better prepared for future duties. We have a vigilant foe, who is ever on our track, ready to take advantage of every weakness that would help to make his temptations effective. When the mind is overstrained and the body enfeebled, he presses upon the soul his fiercest temptations. Let the laborer carefully husband his strength, and when wearied with toil, let him turn aside and commune with Jesus.”19 May the Lord bless us and give us an ear to hear His call to us here and now: “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.” Amen!