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The schedule of our Lord was punishing.

Take for example the feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) It couldn’t have come at a worse time. A weary Jesus (Mark 6:31) hears of the death of His friend and cousin John the Baptist. This was sad enough, but what must have added to His grief, was the manner of John’s death - beheaded at the behest of a dancing girl. What’s more, with the departure of John the forerunner, Jesus’ own death now takes a significant step nearer. So we’re not surprised to read that on hearing the news, Jesus ‘departed for a deserted place by Himself.’ It’s time for Jesus to get away and be alone.

But the Father has other plans. When the crowds see Jesus leave, they follow Him, and Matthew records:

‘And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them.’

In Proverbs we read ‘The leech has two daughters - Give and Give.’ Everyone is awake to his own need but blind to Jesus’ needs. They’re sucking Jesus dry. Now maybe Jesus’ load would be easier to bear if He could share it with His disciples. But they’re having nothing to do with it. After a day spent by Jesus healing the sick and teaching the crowd, the only contribution the disciples make is to ask Him to ’ send the crowds away.’ So what does Jesus do? We all know the account. He feeds this enormous crowd of 5,000 plus with 5 loaves and 2 fishes. And everyone eats until they’re full!

But the next day, still no rest. In John’s Gospel we read that the crowds return, not because they want to hear the words of life, but because they want more bread. When Jesus has the words of life, the only thing registering on their faces is ‘when do we get the food.’

So now what does Jesus do? Does He walk away? On the contrary He preaches this extraordinary message, ’ I am the Bread of Life.’

So when Jesus wants to get away, the Father puts in His path an even busier schedule. But unlike the disciples, Jesus is not unwilling. He recognizes that this is the Father’s appointment. If these are good works prepared beforehand for Him to do, then He will walk in them, knowing that with these works, the Father will give to Him the grace needed to complete them. And so this episode becomes the occasion for one of Jesus greatest miracles and most wonderful sermons.

Has it been a difficult few weeks? Are you feeling physically and emotionally exhausted? Maybe on top of this you’ve also received bad or sad news and you’ve wanted to get away and have some time for yourself. But it hasn’t happened. Perhaps even well laid plans have come undone. The demands are unrelenting. Everyone wants you to see their need, but they’re blind to yours. Furthermore you may feel the loneliness that comes with responsibility. While others feel free to opt out and say it‘s not their problem, you cannot. Perhaps you got up today wondering for how much longer you can go on.

So what are we to do?

Firstly, like Jesus, we must recognize the Father’s appointment. Sometimes He crosses our hopes and plans with unexpected pressures. But these are simply good works prepared beforehand for us (Eph 2:10). Now if these works have been prepared by the Father, will He then deny us the grace to complete them?

So secondly we must go to the Lord. He hasn’t forgotten those two extraordinary days by the Sea of Galilee. He understands and feels for us as no other can, which is why we can come to Him, and out of our nothing, our 5 loaves and 2 fishes, He can provide for all our needs and much more. Indeed out of our weakness, when we need others to be strong, Jesus says ‘I’ll be strong for you. My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’

After a busy day we all need a good night’s sleep. Sometimes however, the busier life becomes, the harder it is to sleep. So what is the cure? Space forbids a wordy prescription, so four brief remedies will have to do.

Firstly, have we been seeking first the Kingdom of God? Daily life is made up of little decisions, so have we at each fork in the road, put His will before our own? Jesus says the great antidote for lying awake fretting is to:

‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.’

Pleasing the King and the cares of this life cannot share the same bed. If I’m pre-occupied with the one, there will be little room for the other. So let’s confess our sins and our worries and rest in the knowledge, that my Father has all things in hand.

Secondly, what are we stuffing our pillows with? For a good night’s sleep Christians need to stuff their pillows with an awareness of the sovereignty of God. If my Lord really is in control of everything, if my God really is big enough to make sure that everything happens just as He’s planned, if my Father really is working all things for my good, then go to sleep! Let the Gentiles worry; if I was in their position I’d worry but let us sleep calmly in the Father’s perfect care.

Thirdly, when we get into bed remember we are a day’s march nearer home. All that makes for our sorrow will soon be at an end, but all that makes for our joy is just beginning. One day we shall awake in His likeness. One bright morning we shall open our eyes to see His face (psalm 17:15).

Lastly, we go to sleep knowing the storm has passed. We live on the other side of Calvary. We live in the freshness and sunshine of the New Covenant. We sleep in a bedroom called ‘Peace.’ Even when we cannot speak we can still say ‘Jesus is mine.’

John Bunyan in his Pilgrim’s Progress tells us that Mercy laughed in her sleep. May we all this night dream of Jesus.