Saturday, February 09, 2019

Rest for a While

Rest for a While


Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind… May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen. Hebrews 13:16,21

He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. Mark 6:31

Piety
May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever [and ever]. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

Study
On weekends, it is great to read that even our active Shepherd tells his disciples to rest for a while to reenergize for the mission of doing what is pleasing to God.  Then, properly refreshed, they (we) can get back to the work of caring and sharing. Jesus has long since moved past the realm of burnt offerings and sacrifices. 

Jesus rewards his disciples for all their good works with an implied respite.  But the rest is not long because before Jesus even arrived, the people had already gathered there. So much for a weekend break.

Action
What good works are you trying to get in over the weekend? For all the good that you have been furnished, how will you give back or pay it forward?

We already have received full payment. Now, how can we prepare an acceptable sacrifice of time and service that is pleasing to God?

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