THANKSGIVING OFFERS REST!

 

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

 

THANKSGIVING OFFERS REST!

 

Mark 6:31

31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

 

           Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, which means today will be a flurry of activity. It also means that Friday will be another day of panic buying of trinkets, hot glue, and junk. Sorry for the editorial comment, but you get the idea.

 

           Within the Authorized Bible, you can find the word REST 275 times in 265 verses so, rest is an important aspect of life and work. Tomorrow should be a day of rest. The Greek word for rest which we find in our text is anapano which means “to take ease; refresh; repose.” The disciples served while still chewing. Constant interruptions and demands kept them from even enjoying a meal.

 

           There was no end to ministry to the poor. The sick just kept coming and the troubled needed soothing. The word was out, and the parade of supplicants stretched out in long lines. Their bodies needed fuel and their minds needed a pause. Their spirits needed some quiet time with Jesus. It was time to come apart for a little season before resuming their frenetic life of service.

 

           This year, we worry about a rampant global illness of such mysterious nature as to cause some to hide and others to scoff. It has been a year of riots, lies, and uncertainty. Our elections hang by a thin thread with both sides claiming victory. We need a moment of rest.

 

Colonial Governor, William Bradford proclaimed: “Now I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and ye little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the daytime, on Thursday, November 29th, of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty three and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings."

 

Dear Lord, let me see the need for soul-rest and to yield to it as I would obey a command. Thank you for all your blessings. AMEN