Made To Sit Down

Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.

Mark 6:39

As we continue our meditation on the way in which Christ meets our most basic need, we come to verse 39,  ‘Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.’  These folks had walked some distance in order to arrive at this location. They had spent all day, in the middle-eastern sun, listening to Christ, and concentrating on the many things that He was teaching them. It was the end of the day and they were wearing out. They were tired. Christ instructs His disciples to have the people sit down. In keeping with our theme of Christ meeting our most basic needs, what may we draw from this? Aside from anything else that Christ did, He gave them the opportunity to rest. Although it seems a simple thing, yet, rest is critically important to our general well-being. Christ meets that basic need, not just for our bodies, but for our souls as well. With regard to our bodies, the Psalmist declares, ‘so He gives His beloved sleep.’ With regard to our soul, Christ says, ‘Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ He goes on to say, in the next verse that in following and learning from Christ, ‘you will find rest for your souls.’ Here is the second of the basic needs which Christ meets. We find ourselves often weary in body, soul and spirit. We find ourselves laboring and heavily burdened. Christ, by His Personal intervention brings us to a place of rest. ‘He makes me to lie down in green pastures.’ Rest today, Child of Grace, in Christ, Who is Your Shepherd.

O Great Shepherd of the Sheep,
You enable us to rest when we have reached the end of ourselves.
You wrap us in Your loving arms; we rest our head on Your gentle breast.
Here is peace; here is calm.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning