People Running to Jesus - Mark 6:33

Mark wrote how “the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come you 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. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately”, and in chapter six and verse thirty-three of his book, Mark wrote how, “the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities” where we read:

And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities,

and outwent them, and came together unto him.

The verse reads, “And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, ...” Mark began with the words, “and the people” which means “and the collection of people, multitude and those who were gathered together” “saw them departing” or “observed, perceived and noticed that Jesus and His disciples were leaving, retiring and going away”, “and many knew him” or “and a lot of people were thoroughly acquainted with, perceived and ascertained who Jesus was”, “and ran afoot thither out of all cities” which means “and began to run to where Jesus was going from out of each, every, the whole and everyone of their dwelling places, abodes and habitations”. Mark shared how there was a “crowd of people” who “knew Jesus” saw Him and His disciples leaving and began to run after them from their homes and dwelling places.

The verse continues, “... and outwent them, and came together unto him.” Mark added the words, “and outwent them” which means “and went on before and preceded Jesus and His disciples”, “and came together unto him” which means “and assembled and gathered unto Jesus”. Mark shared how the people who saw Jesus and His disciples leaving actually outran the “boat” to where they were going and gathered together to meet Jesus when he came to the shore.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how desperate these people were who “knew” Jesus. Though Jesus desired for His disciples to “come apart to a desert place” so they could be refreshed, the people saw them and “assembled” unto them again. The saying goes, “there is no rest for the weary”, and because Jesus was so popular and able to heal, teach and cast out unclean spirits, people were drawn unto Him. God knows our limits, and when times of “exhaustion” come, He is able to provide the strength to face whatever comes before us. Let those reading these words know the importance of “rest” in Jesus and draw from God's strength should their tasks require it.

Next time Mark shares how, “Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".