"he was without in desert places" (Mk 1:14)
Many times we see the Lord alone in the wilderness. We also read that he went to the solitary place to pray, he was found alone on the land, he would often rise a great while before day and that he went apart in the mountain to pray. This in contrast to the many times we see the Saviour in the midst of the multitudes.
The Lord was often alone, but I don't believe our Saviour was ever lonely for He always had fellowship with the Father, and the Father was ever with Him; "I and my Father are one". The Lord Jesus ever walked in step with Him and nothing broke their communion. Even on the cross he was forsaken by God but importantly not by His Father!
When he was "without in desert places" this was time exclusively for fellowship and communion with the Father, and is it any wonder that there should be the case when you consider that they are one and the same! Christ is God manifest in flesh - "who being in the form of God (being essentially one with God and possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God, God)" (Phil 2:6, Amplified version)
"come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest a while" (Mk 6:31)
Within the context of this verse, the disciples had been sent out to minister to the locality, many mighty deeds had been done in His name and the gospel had been preached!
Yet at this point the Lord invites the disciples to come apart into a desert place to rest awhile. It is lovely to see the Saviour's care for His people, and He teaches us here that balance is important and that rest, recuperation and fellowship with the Lord and each other would be just as important for His people as activity and service.
It is lovely to see the intimacy of the invitation; "come ye yourselves..." not now the blessing on the crowds and the multitudes, but this was going to be quality time alone with the Lord. They would be with Him for fellowship and communion, away from the world and it's distractions! We also do well to draw aside to the 'desert place' away from the world, for there we can rest and recover with the Lord and enjoy his presence and fellowship. Surely if more time were spent in this manner then surely there would be such a positive impact on our spiritual lives.
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A picture of the Judaean Desert[/caption]"This is a desert place, and the time is far passed" (Mk 6:35)
The disciples' above observation was simply reflecting their physical surroundings and environment and also the time of day. However we can make application here - as the follower of the Lord Jesus looks about surely we would share the observation of the disciples?
A desert place - surely we realise as we look around at the world that there is no spiritual sustenance for our souls here. A desert can sustain life of course, but these creatures are made for the desert and bear the character of the desert! But this is not for the believer. We are in the world but not of the world and we are exhorted to love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
The time is far passed - surely we would recognise that the return of the Lord to the air cannot be far away and that we are indeed in 'the third watch of the night'. The time is short, there is no further prophecy to be fulfilled and the Lord must come soon! The words of the Lord Jesus are pertinent; "surely I come quickly"
The challenge to our hearts must be to redeem the time. This phrase is used in Ephesians 5 in relation to our Christian walk for ourselves - to maximise our spiritual gain in our days down here. The phrase is also used in Colossians 4 where it is used in relation to our walk outwardly towards others - to seize opportunities to bring spiritual benefit and blessing to others whilst we live for Him in these last times.
We trust these simple thoughts concerning desert places will be useful and encouraging to all who read.
Yours in Christ, Mark
Lovely thoughts. Had just been thinking about the passage in Mark 6 myself. This was a time of extreme emotions. The disciples return in v30 and have a desire to tell him every detail of what has happened when sent. A time of great joy. Then there was the devastating news of John having been beheaded. Matthew tells that the Saviour on hearing this news departs to a desert place. There was also the business of many individuals coming and going for physical and spiritual healing. What a great lesson for us when we find ourselves under pressure emotionally, mentally and physically to hear the call to 'come ye apart and rest a while'.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments Frank, I agree and find this particularly relevant for the day in which we live. It certainly seems more valuable than ever to withdraw to the desert place at the Saviours beckoning, for time alone with him is surely the remedy for the stresses and strains of life.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the report in v30, I had had similar thoughts as I studied this for myself, that here is surely the first 'missionary report' so to speak! It reminds us of the importance to not only pray before we go out in service but also to report back to the Lord and tell him all things! There is a good principle here - the Saviour loves to here of that which we do in his name and to his glory. Herod had certainly heard the report anyway (Mk 6:16), proving to us that the enemy is certainly very interested in the activities of the Lord's people!
God bless, Mark