No time for lunch

February 5, 2018

 Scripture

“Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’” (Mark 3:20-21 NIVUK)

“The apostles gathered round Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”
(Mark 6:30-31 NIVUK)

No time for lunch

A recent business study demonstrated that eating lunch at our desk makes us less productive. The study concluded that taking a lunch break from work renewed our creativity and fruitfulness in the afternoon.

Jesus and his friends faced the same problem. The demands of work left no room for eating. On two occasions different solutions were offered. His family wanted him to come home to mother, while Jesus prescribed getting away together with Him in a secluded space.

We are often overwhelmed with the demands of life and the brokenness of the world. We are challenged in finding a healthy perspective that creates a restorative response. Our own personal times of reflection are often fleeting.  An hour or two with a few friends, helping each other be quiet and reflective on God and life’s challenges may be a way for us to hear clearly Jesus’ call to follow him.

Our fierce self-reliance, often turning to unhelpful tools for self-medicating, needs the presence of trusted companions who help us find our truest self in Jesus.

 A Prayer for Today

Loving God, you revealed yourself in Jesus in very gritty ways. He didn’t assign individual programs for personal development when life got out of control. Help us hear his invitation to get away with him and a few others. Let us find strength for the journey, courage to do right and commitment to justice and mercy today …. for Jesus’ sake