Stress Test Devotional April 20
April 20, 2024
MARK 6:30-34, 45-46 | 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray.
Healers must face a great deal of pressure. The needs they must meet are urgent and important and unpredictable. Health is an unlimited good, with many dimensions, and it is so deeply connected to our emotional well-being and proper functioning that we want it desperately.
In our passage, the impact of this pressure on Jesus is evident. He has been traveling and healing in Capernaum, around the Sea of Galilee, in the country of the Gerasenes and everywhere crowds have followed Him with needs and problems.
He had to abort several retreats and rest periods out of compassion for them. Here, He dismisses the crowds to rest and pray.
Pray for all those engaged in healing, for their moments of restful recovery and prayer.
