Christian Art | Jesus And His Apostles Seek A Desert Place
Mark 6: 30-34 – Week 4 Ordinary Time, Saturday (Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
31 And he said unto them, Come ye 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.
32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
33 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.
34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
The apostles have returned exhausted and energized to Jesus. They have succeeded in their mission and they are full of the glory of what they have accomplished. They long to tell Jesus all that they have done in Jesus’ name. This is a triumph for the disciples. They long to share.
Jesus’ feels all the apostles’ urgent need to tell him just how well they have done what they were instructed to do. When those disciples first set out, perhaps it was inevitable that they would have had their doubts, and now there is joy when those doubts and fears are overcome and proven groundless. This must be emotionally overwhelming for the reunion of Jesus and his disciples.
Jesus celebrates these feelings with the disciples while drawing them in to reflect awhile. It is as a mother or a careful teacher would manage the learning of a child.
There is to be no escape for Jesus and his disciples, however. This is now become a mass movement, indeed a frenzy: everybody wants to be near Jesus. It is truly terrifying. All privacy has been taken away. Jesus’ mission has become exhausting.
Jesus is not cowed by this mass influx of people begging for spiritual leadership. He knows that this is why he is here, and while it may be so hard on him, this is the mission that he is here to fulfil.
Jesus is exhausted and needs time with his closest disciples. Nonetheless, he has pity and chooses to give himself yet more, to teach the crowds. The giving is absolute.
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25 ¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel: 36: 24-28)
Concluding Prayer
All-powerful, eternal God,
splendour of true light and never-ending day:
at the return of the morning hour
chase away the night of sin,
and fill our minds with the glory of your coming.
We make our prayer through our Lord.
Audio Bible KJV | Endnotes
The Power Of Solitude – Learning From Jesus’ Example
In Mark 6:30-34, we see Jesus and his disciples seeking solitude in a desert place. While the disciples were eager to report to Jesus all that they had done and taught during their ministry, Jesus recognized that they needed a break. Jesus invited them to come away with him to a place where they could rest and be refreshed – to a desert place.
The desert place is both literally so and it can serve as metaphor. There is a stillness and a poverty in the desert. There is an exposure – both to the environment and to ourselves – and so to God.
The importance of solitude in the Christian life cannot be overstated. Throughout the Bible, we see many examples of people seeking solitude in order to connect with God. Moses, for example, spent 40 days alone with God on Mount Sinai, and Elijah heard the still, small voice of God while he was alone in a cave.
Similarly, Jesus often sought solitude in order to pray and to connect with his Father. In Mark 1:35, we see Jesus rising early in the morning to go to a solitary place to pray. In Luke 5:16, we see that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be difficult to find moments of solitude in our busy lives. However, the benefits of solitude are numerous. Solitude provides us with the space and time we need to reflect on our lives, to connect with God, and to gain clarity and perspective.
In his book The Power Of Solitude, Henri Nouwen writes: ‘Solitude is the furnace of transformation.’ Nouwen goes on to explain that when we enter into solitude, we open ourselves up to the transformative power of God’s love. Through prayer, meditation, and other spiritual practices, we can deepen our relationship with God and experience His presence in new and powerful ways.
In addition to the benefits of solitude for our personal spiritual growth, there are also benefits for our relationships with others. When we take time to step away from the noise and distractions of the world, we become more attuned to the needs and feelings of others. We are able to approach our relationships with a greater sense of compassion and understanding.
Furthermore, when we take time for solitude, we are better able to discern God’s will for our lives. In the quiet of solitude, we can more clearly hear God’s voice and direction. This allows us to make decisions that are in line with God’s plan for our lives and to approach challenges and opportunities with confidence and clarity.
One of the challenges of seeking solitude is that it can be difficult to find the time and space for it in our busy lives. However, there are many ways to incorporate moments of solitude into our daily routines. Whether it is taking a walk in nature, finding a quiet spot in our homes to pray, or simply turning off our devices for a few minutes each day, we can all find ways to prioritize solitude in our lives.
In addition, there are many Christian retreat centers and programs that offer opportunities for extended periods of solitude and reflection. These retreats can be a wonderful way to step away from the demands of daily life and to focus on deepening our relationship with God.
Pope Francis has spoken on the importance of retreat and solitude in the Christian life on several occasions. In his 2018 apostolic exhortation Gaudete Et Exsultate, Pope Francis writes: ‘We need to set aside a time each day for God, with prayer and Bible reading, while also setting aside moments of recollection throughout the day, particularly at night before retiring. Gradually, we can calm our anxious hearts, and we will be more serene and self-possessed.’
In addition, Pope Francis has frequently emphasized the importance of taking time for spiritual renewal through retreat. In a 2019 message to participants in a retreat for priests in the Diocese of Rome, Pope Francis encouraged the priests to take time for ‘silence, reflection, and prayer’ in order to ‘recharge their spiritual batteries’ and to be ‘better equipped to serve the people of God’.
The example of Jesus and His disciples in Mark 6:30-34 teaches us the importance of seeking solitude in order to rest, reflect, and connect with God. As we follow Jesus’ example, may we be intentional about carving out moments of solitude in our lives, and may we be open to the transformative power of God’s love as we do so.
King James Audio Bible | KJV | King James Version King Herod There were several individuals named Herod who played significant roles in ancient history, particularly in the history of the Roman Empire and the region of Palestine. Here is a brief overview of the most notable Herods: Herod the Great: Also known as Herod I, he was a Roman client king of Judea, ruling from 37 BC to 4 BC. He is perhaps most famous for his role in the biblical story of the birth of Jesus, in which it is said that he ordered the slaughter of all male children in Bethlehem under the age of two in an attempt to kill the newborn Jesus. Herod Antipas: Also known as Herod II, he was the son of Herod the Great and ruled over Galilee and Perea, two regions in Palestine, from 4 BC to 39 AD. He is mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who imprisoned John the Baptist and later had him beheaded. Herod Agrippa I: Also known as Herod III, he was the grandson of Herod the Great and ruled over Judea from 41 to 44 AD. He is mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who imprisoned the apostle Paul. Herod Agrippa II: Also known as Herod IV, he was the great-grandson of Herod the Great and ruled over parts of Palestine and Syria from 50 to 100 AD. He is mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who heard Paul’s defence before the Roman governor Festus. These rulers, who were known as the Herodian dynasty, were not Jewish but rather descended from a Greek family that had converted to Judaism. Despite this, they were appointed as rulers by the Roman Empire and were generally unpopular among the Jewish population due to their collaboration with the Roman occupation and their often brutal methods of rule. Herod The Great Herod the Great, also known as Herod I, was a Roman client king of Judea who ruled from 37 BC to 4 BC. He was born in 73 BC in Idumea, a region in southern Palestine, and was the son of Antipater the Idumean, an Edomite who had been appointed as a governor of Judea by the Roman general Pompey. Herod rose to power after the Roman general Julius Caesar appointed him as king of Judea in 40 BC. He consolidated his power over the next few years by defeating his rivals and establishing himself as the undisputed ruler of the region. As king, Herod embarked on a massive building program that included the expansion and renovation of the Temple in Jerusalem, the construction of the port city of Caesarea Maritima, and the fortification of several cities in Judea. He also commissioned the construction of a number of palaces and other buildings, including the famous Herodium, a palace-fortress located south of Jerusalem. Despite his many accomplishments, Herod was a controversial figure who was known for his harsh rule and his willingness to use violence to maintain his power. He was married several times and had a large number of children, several of whom he had executed when they posed a threat to his rule. One of the most famous stories associated with Herod is the biblical account of the birth of Jesus, in which it is said that he ordered the slaughter of all male children in Bethlehem under the age of two in an attempt to kill the newborn Jesus. According to the New Testament, Jesus was saved by his parents, who fled to Egypt, and later returned to Palestine after Herod’s death. Herod died in 4 BC at the age of 70, leaving a legacy as one of the most significant rulers in the history of ancient Palestine. Herod Antipas Herod Antipas, also known as Herod II, was the son of Herod the Great and ruled over Galilee and Perea, two regions in Palestine, from 4 BC to 39 AD. He was born in 20 BC and was named after his father’s patron, the Roman emperor Augustus. Like his father, Herod Antipas was known for his ambitious building projects, including the construction of the city of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee and the expansion of the Temple in Jerusalem. He was also known for his political cunning and his ability to navigate the complex political landscape of the Roman Empire. Herod Antipas is mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who imprisoned John the Baptist, a prominent religious figure who criticized Herod’s marriage to his sister-in-law, Herodias. According to the New Testament, John was eventually beheaded at the request of Herodias’ daughter, Salome, who danced for Herod and his guests at a banquet. Herod Antipas is also mentioned in the New Testament as the ruler who oversaw the trial and execution of Jesus. Although he initially wanted to release Jesus, he ultimately handed him over to the Roman authorities at the urging of the Jewish religious leaders. Herod Antipas’ rule came to an end in 39 AD when the Roman emperor Caligula exiled him to Gaul, modern-day France. He died in exile a few years later. Herod Agrippa I Herod Agrippa I, also known as Herod III, was the grandson of Herod the Great and ruled over Judea from 41 to 44 AD. He was born in 10 BC and was the son of Aristobulus and Bernice, two of Herod the Great’s children. Herod Agrippa I was well-educated and fluent in both Greek and Hebrew, and he was highly regarded by the Roman authorities for his loyalty and his ability to maintain order in Judea. He was appointed as king of Judea in 41 AD by the Roman emperor Claudius, who was impressed by his abilities and saw him as a reliable ally in the region. As king, Herod Agrippa I continued the building projects of his grandfather and expanded the Temple in Jerusalem. He also implemented a number of reforms aimed at improving the lives of the […]
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