When our son, Robert was only a few months old when I took him in for one of his check-ups.  With pure exhaustion, I told his pediatrician, “I thought babies were supposed to sleep!”  Because you see, I’m one of those who do need my sleep!  But, he told me, there are some people who just don’t require a lot of sleep.  Well, our son, Robert is one of them.

However, sleep is important to our overall health.  Did you know that consistently lacking in sleep can cause many health problems? For example, not enough sleep will cause high blood pressure, lowered immunity, dysfunctional metabolism, a higher the risk of diabetes, a threat to our cardiovascular health, increased obesity, and a higher risk of a stroke. God created us to rest and to sleep. It is how we are created!

In Mark 6:30-34; 53-56, Jesus tells his disciples, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.”  They disciples had just returned from a long mission trip where they had the power and authority to heal the sick, cast our demons, and proclaim the good news.  So, they get into their boat to get to a deserted place to be alone and get some rest. But, the people recognized them and started coming towards them in droves – 1000’s of people from all the neighboring towns!  Even though, they were trying to get away to rest, Jesus had compassion for the people. He said, “They are like sheep without a shepherd!”

Jesus began to teach them and with only a couple of fish and loaves of bread, Jesus fed thousands of people that day.  Again, he tells the disciples to get back into the boat. Jesus dismisses the crowds and goes to the mountain to pray. While the disciples were in the boat, a wind comes up and the disciples are struggling with the oar. Jesus who was on land and sees them struggling against the wind, begins to walk on water towards them. In their fear, the disciples struggle with processing all they had seen Jesus do.

They now moored their boat at Gennesaret. And, again the people recognize the disciples and Jesus – and the crowds are thick with people wanting to be healed.  Even the marketplace becomes a place where people are brought on stretchers hoping for Jesus’ healing hands…many believed that even if they could just touch the clothing of Jesus – they would be healed. And, indeed they were – ALL THOSE WHO TOUCHED IT WERE HEALED.

These people were desperate! They were looking for hope! They had no where else to go!  Jesus was their last recourse!  They yearned to be in the presence of the Lord!  And, when they were, they were healed!

Well, I have been perplexed by this! I want to know to know the end of the story!  I want to know what the people did!  Did they run and tell others?  Or, were they content because they had received what they needed from Jesus with no intention of ever following Jesus?

So, it was in the Greek that I found the only answer that makes sense to me…To be healed…could be translated as “To be made whole”

You see for me, this changes everything!  “To be made whole” doesn’t just mean our physical body is healed. “To be made whole” means that all of our past hurts are gone. “To be made whole” means to be in a right relationship with Jesus Christ!  “To be made whole” takes commitment, honesty, and determination, just like all those people that traveled to be in the presence of the Lord!

Jesus became their Shepherd – I Will Make YOU WHOLE!

I’ll feed you.  I’ll take your worry from you.  I’ll take your pain.  I’ll take your suffering. I’ll take your broken relationships I’ll take your sins. I’ll give you Forgiveness. And, I’ll give you REST!

Were the people changed that day?  Absolutely “yes!” – Inside and out! Not only were they healed of their physical ailments, but also, matters of the Heart!

Not only did God create us to rest, but God also sent us God’s Son to provide all the rest that we need. Through Jesus’ amazing grace, mercy, and love for us, we are given God’s peace that allows us to rest in the arms of our Lord.

Yes, sleep and rest in this life is important for our bodies while we are here on earth.  It is how God created us.  None of us want to encounter the ailments that lack of sleep can cause.

However, Jesus invites us to come to Him to allow Him to be our Shepherd, who will give us everything we need so that we can rest. Through Jesus Christ, who is our Shepherd, will give us rest and we then will receive a life that is truly life.