Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today, let’s peak in on Jesus giving Himself away before finally getting away.

Today’s scripture, Mark 6:44-46 (NLT) says…
[44] A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed. [45] Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. [46] After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.

Consider…
The verses between Jesus feeding 5000 and walking on water, reveal some teachable giving away before getting away routines that we should incorporate into our lives.

First, let’s recognize the feeding of the 5000 actually interrupted Jesus and the disciples planned rest. Mark 6:31-34 (NLT) reveals…
[31] Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. [32] So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. [33] But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. [34] Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Jesus could have sent the people away because He and the disciples needed rest, yet the verses say that He had compassion. This shows us the importance of being agile and willing to have our break interrupted by different people we may encounter. This makes me think of William McDowell’s lyrics…

My life is not my own
To you I belong
I give myself, I give myself to you (so You can use me)

We may plan to take a break, but we must always allow God to break our plan.

Today’s scripture picks up after Jesus sacrificed His rest to help others. As soon as the Divine Detour was over, Jesus put His disciples back on their path to rest. We read above in 45a…
Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida.

This shows us we need to concern ourselves with the well being of those who are doing life with us. While we may play the lead role, the stress and strain on our team/family is real and we need to make sure they are taken care of before we take care of ourselves.

Notice I referred to verse 45a above to call out the routine of caring for those working with us before taking care of ourselves. That’s because, 45b teaches us something else. It says…
while he sent the people home.

When fulfilling our ministry, we should be the last to leave. Jesus’ act of humility, despite His celebrity, shows us how we should never feel too important to do the little things required to finish the work. Think about it, Jesus could have instructed the disciples to send everyone home while He went to the boat, afterall He did the teaching and performed the miracle, but instead He humbly did the opposite. .

This makes me think of Galatians 6:3 (NLT) which says…
[3] If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

Although God may interrupt our break to be His blessing, we must never think we’re too important to help with what could be considered the little things.

Next in Jesus’ routine we see Him communicating He was leaving. Verse
[46a] simply says…
After telling everyone good-bye

This tells me we should always leave on a definitive note. Saying good-bye affirms time together is over and expectations have been met. Therefore, like Jesus, provide closure to your interactions with a simple good-bye.

Today’s scripture ends with…
he went up into the hills by himself to pray.

This brings me to today’s key observation from Jesus’ get away routine.

• Jesus prioritized His Father’s will to help others
• Jesus prioritized His team/family’s well being
• Jesus definitively concluded His ministering
• Jesus got away by Himself to spend one-on-one time with His Heavenly Father

It’s after this Jesus walks on water and resumes His ministry of saving others.

I encourage everyone to get away from time to time. Just remember when you do to prioritize J.O.Y. which is

• Jesus’ will first,
• Others edification next,
• Your rejuvenation last

…make sure when you do get away from others, that it’s to spend some alone time with God.

Following Jesus’ give away get away routine will bring you rejuvenating rest.

Today’s Song is…
I Give Myself Away

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)