Israel experienced a lot of failures beginning from their slavery from Egypt, defeat from Syrians and Babylonians until they were captured by the Romans. They were so tired with life. That’s why when they heard of someone who was coming with good news, they immediately rushed. They long to see the Messiah, the Savior who can redeem the nation of Israel and make their nation whole and strong once again.

The crowds saw Jesus and his men going away. At this particular place it was four miles across the lake by boat and ten miles round the top of the lake on foot. On a windless day, or with a contrary wind, a boat might take some time to make the passage, and an energetic person could walk round the top of the lake and be there before the boat arrived. That was exactly what happened; and when Jesus and his men stepped out of the boat the very crowd they left behind was there waiting for them. They kept on following Jesus, as if hungry and thirsty for the word of God.

People would come from all places whenever they learn that Jesus is coming, to the point that even Christ will have no time to eat. They wanted to satisfy their spiritual longings and hunger in life. They keep on looking for something that this world can not give.

Christ withdrew from the crowd. He went to a lonely place to rest for a while. Even how hard we try to help other people and to serve the church there should be a moment to rest, to pause for a while. But we should be aware of these two scenarios: There is the danger of too much withdrawal. Prayer that is not shown in action and work is not a real prayer. But we must never seek the fellowship of God in order to avoid the fellowship of men. The rhythm of the Christian life is the alternative meeting with God in the secret place and serving men in the market place.

There is a danger of a too constant activity. No man can work without rest; and no man can live the Christian life unless he gives himself time with God. It may well be that the whole trouble in our lives is that we give God no opportunity to speak to us, because we do not know how to be still and to listen. We give God no time to recharge us with spiritual strength and energy.

Mother Theresa said, “Many people mistake our work for vocation. Our Vocation is the love of Jesus.” Oftentimes we become more productive if we are able to rest well.  We don’t want to experience a sudden stop in our life and to drop everything down, because we are burnt out. As one writer would say: “Rest if you must but don’t you quit.” To pause in order to think whether we are still in line with the teaching of the church will save from falling into heresy. It also helps us think whether we still behave as representatives of Christ in the community. There are times that we thought we are serving or helping others, but never knew we had become a burden to them rather than a help.