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“Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.” (Mark 3:9-10, NIV)

Observations:

I asked myself what the cause-effect relationships here were!

Because of the CROWD, the effect was Jesus telling his disciples to have a small boat ready for him.
Because of the CROWD, the effect was Jesus wanted to keep the people from crowding him.
Because Jesus had healed many, the effect was those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.

Interpretations:

I asked myself why Jesus did not want to be crowded at this time!

I recall from verse 7 that Jesus withdrew to the lake with his disciples away from the people that saw Him earlier heal the man with the shriveled hand in the synagogue. I believe Jesus wanted to have space alone with his disciples but with the crowds coming from all directions that was not possible anymore so Jesus tells his disciples to have a small boat ready for him so He could go on the water with his disciples. It is not because Jesus did not want to heal people with diseases anymore but needed that time with his disciples alone rather than being bombarded continuously. Jesus did withdraw to solitary places to pray alone as I recall from chapter 1. Now Jesus wants this time alone with the disciples.

Application:

I saw important implications for my own life. I love being there for people and meeting their spiritual needs and other needs as I can. Being in campus ministry for many years, I have surrounded myself with those I believed the Lord put upon my heart to reach. There have been months where I would work 40-80 hrs a week in ministry and loved it. There was a problem though and it interfered with my health. One time I was in bed for 96 hrs. I believe the Lord Jesus was telling me that I had to take care of myself and need space alone too if I want to minister effectively later. I cannot always be there for people 24-7 but need the time to rejuvenate myself with the power of the Holy Spirit as I seek the Lord in prayer and His Word. Space is the key in ministry too!

I ask you now dear friend what space do you give yourself?

Dear friend, you may give yourself a lot of space or a very little space to move around. The key is whether the space you give yourself affects you to the point that it endangers your relationship with the Lord and others. Jesus knew all about space and took time alone to be with the Father in solitude and also time to be with people all around Him. Jesus had boundary lines that He asked His disciples to help with. This did not mean He did not care for the crowds for He did. But, I believe Jesus was setting an example for us to follow. We need space alone to rejuvenate and learn from the Lord and take care of ourselves. Our Lord does not want us to get burned out but to serve Him in joy. The space we give ourselves determines that a lot. What we do even for the Lord should never crowd out our time with Him in solitude. What we do should never crowd out our time with our family. Finding space for ourselves is good but the former things should not be avoided. The space you give yourself can determine where your heart is and whether you permit always Christ’s entrance!

May you give yourself the space you need that will permit always Christ’s entrance! Amen!

“Space Permits Always Christ’s Entrance!” (S.P.A.C.E)/”What space do you give yourself?”

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I love you so much. Thank you Jesus for dying for our sin and coming back to life to save us! We are sorry for our sins and ask you for your forgiveness and your cleansing blood to wash us whiter than snow. Thank you Jesus! And Lord I want to thank you Jesus for teaching me today about having space. We turn this month of June over to you and ask you for your help to use the space we have for your honor and glory! Thank you Jesus! You Oh Lord love people and you spent a lot of time with them as they crowded to you. At the same time, you also set boundaries so you could have that solitude time with the Father. You also made time alone with your disciples. Help us Oh Lord never to let what we do for you crowd out our time with you. Help us not to let what we do crowd out our time with family, etc. We know Oh Lord that you want us to have space even in ministry. Help us not to feel guilty about it and feel we need to continuously do and do. Thank you Jesus! Thank you whatever you do, you have a reason for it and we can learn from you. I love you Jesus. We entrust our time to thee Oh Lord. Take us in into the Holy of Holies and teach us your ways. Help us as we rejuvenate to go out and be there for others. I thank you Jesus for your help. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. We give ourselves to you and say we are sorry for our sins and need your forgiveness. We acknowledge you as our Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you Jesus! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Love in Christ, Ramesh

P.S.. If you need someone to talk to, pray with, or study the Bible, you can email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com and we can set up a time that is convenient for you! You can also call me at 412-720-4579