2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Leviticus 6:1-7:27 ESV, Mark 3:7-30 ESV, Psalm 37:1-11 ESV, Proverbs 10:3-4 ESV
Daily Verse: “Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea” (Mark 3:7 ESV)
ANACHOREO (402): “To withdraw, to go back, recede, retire. To make room for, betake oneself.”[I]
Jesus withdrew.
Crowds followed Jesus everywhere He went. The more people Jesus healed, the faster word spread of Him. People wanted to see the Miracle Worker for themselves. As a result, Jesus retreated to the sea with the disciples so the crowd wouldn’t crush Him.
People require energy. Spending time with someone, giving them your full attention, actively loving them can exhaust you without intentional rest. Jesus withdrew intentionally, protecting Himself from the pressing crowd.
Love with space.
Jesus understood the need for balance. Throughout His ministry on earth, Jesus never overscheduled. God’s Son knew when to engage with the crowd and withdraw from it. Jesus also knew when He needed one-on-one time with the Father. Our Savior balanced His time well between spending time with people and God.
Trying to love people in our power will never work. When you feel the crowd pressing in on you, do what Jesus did, withdraw. Take your closest friends and get-a-way for a weekend. Spend some time alone with God, pouring out your pain, allowing Him to refill you with His Spirit.
Create balance in your life withdraw from the crowd when necessary. Refuel with God.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 24) Thomas Nelson
