There is a word here of sweet and precious import, and full of deep comfort.
The context presents a scene of labor and toil. The Lord had called the twelve, and sent them out two by two for their journey, without anything save a staff, “no scrip, no bread, no money.” They went forth, they preached, they cast out devils, they raised the sick; it was a time of work and incessant toil, but a time of labor which resulted in fruit.
In v. 30 we find the apostles returning, gathering themselves together, and rehearsing to Jesus all they had done and taught. He had sent them out empty, and they had returned full, and now they spread before the precious Master, as it were, their riches, the proceeds and fruit of their labor and toil; and this draws forth the heart of the blessed Lord, ever overflowing in love and tenderness and compassion for hungry multitudes and weary servants—and here are His gracious words, “Come ye yourselves into a desert place and rest awhile.” Now let us note how it is not, “go and rest,” but “come!” Oh! The sweetness of that word “Come!” Assuredly it is not the desert place that would constitute the rest, necessary, yea called for as it is at times for all His workmen, but the rest is connected with the company, with the presence of Jesus. He accompanies us there, and hence the rest, His own bright and blessed company secures that which neither the comforts of a fertile valley, full of springs of water, could supply, nor the barrenness and aridity of a howling desert, could hinder. May every beloved laborer then remember it is “come and rest.” Then there is another precious thought, the Master knows well the snares of service, He sees how easily the poor weak vessel could be ensnared into giving service that place which alone belongs to Himself, how soon the work would take the place of occupation with Him, hence I am sure He often isolates us, saying, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place.”
Further we are told that “there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.” In this day of rush and ceaseless toil, how often is it so? But we need to be reminded that “preaching is not Christ,” and the Lord’s workmen must have time for feeding on Christ and meditation in His word, if their service is to be of any real profit. The quality of our service we fear is in this day but little thought of compared with the quantity; the quality will indeed be poor and wretched in the extreme, if the laborer’s own soul is not nourished and fed upon the true Bread that came down out of (,z6) heaven. How loving then of our own Master to say, “Come and rest,” and how blessed when He takes His poor, fainting, failing workmen by the hand, aside, apart into the desert place, shutting them out from all around, and shutting them in to Himself, that with a mind undisturbed, and a heart undistracted, they may rest with Himself, thus gathering up new strength and fresh courage to go forth with and for Him.
But there is also here a beautiful instance of the deep compassion of the Savior’s heart, which was ever touched by distress and want. We are told the people “outwent them and came together unto him.” Yes, Jesus was the attraction! They were seeking Him. How many such testimonies do the gospels contain to His tenderness and pity and accessibility! So we see how He yearned over a scattered flock of sheep destitute of a shepherd’s care. Though it be a desert place, He will cause it to yield bread enough and to spare for them, thus He feeds them and sends them away, He Himself departing into a mountain to pray. Now we have a picture of the present and the future. Jesus has gone on high into the place of intercession; during His absence the wind and storm and waves of difficulties, vicissitudes, are felt; yet He is not absent from His own in interest or heart. Then His poor disciples proved it, for in the fourth watch (the darkest part of night on the eve of day dawn) He comes to them walking on the water! Oh! The majesty of the scene, which sets before us the tender, compassionate, unfailing Friend, at the same time the mighty God, “God—over all, blessed evermore.”