Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.”
Matthew 14:22 NLT
After a busy day of ministry, teaching, healing, and miraculously feeding a large crowd, while also grieving the death of John the Baptist, one word leaps off the page with Jesus’ next actions.
“Insisted”
In the NIV and ESV, it says that He “made them” get in the boat.
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.”
Matthew 14:22 NIV
There was huge ministry momentum. Jesus could have seized the moment. He could have continued teaching and healing, building on His popularity to create a groundswell of new followers.
But no. Jesus concluded His day of ministry. He put the disciples in the boat and sent them away from the crowds. Somehow, He Himself then eluded the crowds to climb a mountain and be alone with the Father.
The “insisted” or “made them” part of this story has to be connected back to where the day began.
The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”
Mark 6:30-31 NLT
The day began with the Twelve returning from an exhilarating, exhausting time of ministry. They’d been so busy, they hadn’t even had time to eat. They’d been giving, and giving, and giving. There’s always an opportunity to give more, to do more. Human need is unending. Now, the Twelve climb into a boat, each holding a basket filled with bread and fish. They hadn’t had time to eat. Now they have a bountiful supply.
Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened. As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns.”
Matthew 14:12-13 NLT
The day also began with John’s disciples bringing Jesus news of John’s death. Several of the Twelve had first been disciples of John, so this news must have hit them hard as well. Jesus was grieving John’s death. The Twelve were grieving John’s death. Jesus wanted to get away, be alone, mourn, rest, and recover.
That plan was delayed, but it was not forgotten. Now, after feeding the crowd, Jesus “insists” the Twelve get in the boat by themselves. They didn’t want to go without Jesus, but He wanted to make sure they got off and the crowd was dismissed so it wouldn’t follow them again.
That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum.”
John 6:16-17 NLT
There are so many things to notice in this story. Jesus prioritizing being alone with the Father. Peter stepping out of the boat in faith. Jesus calming the storm… again. But the word “insisted” speaks to me about Jesus’ leadership. Jesus was looking out for the Twelve. He knew what they had been through. He knew their need for rest.
They might see the needs and think they couldn’t take a break from ministry and rest. Jesus saw the needs and knew they had to take a break for rest.
As a leader, Jesus had a keen awareness of when to advance, and when to retreat.
As a leader, Jesus was aware of the emotional toll that ministry took on His disciples. He was aware of their emotional capacity. He was aware of their needs.
Jesus was establishing the priority of rest, of soul care, for the Twelve. In the long run, more ministry and better ministry would be accomplished if rest was prioritized.
This blogpost originally appeared at: Righteous Rhythms, Revolutionary Rest – Sonlife and is based upon Sonlife’s study, Knowing Him / A 50 Day Study in the Life of Christ / Day 36