A desolate place by themselves.

Mark 6:30-32, The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

We live in a time of overstimulation, with all of our modern devices; even the computer that I am using to write this is a source of nearly infinite distraction when I want to sit and study. Are we missing out on the power of desolation? That word seems very negative to us in our busy world, but clearly Jesus had in mind a purpose for a Sabbath for him and the disciples even from his critical ministry. The crowds followed them, and the feeding of the five-thousand even in a place of desolation; yet Jesus response was to send them all away. “And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.” Are we missing out on the value of desolation, where only he can provide?

Let us make opportunities as you did Lord Jesus to leave our distractions and go to a desolate place to pray.

ESV Lectionary