Pastor Ed Moreno

By Pastor Ed Moreno

In Mark 7:24, 31 we read something very interesting.  These verses tell us: “Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.  He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it…Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of Decapolis.”

What Jesus is doing here can be missed if one does not know the historical context and geography of Jesus’ little trip.

Jesus had been healing and ministering to people; the Jewish religious leaders had been causing conflict in an attempt to mess up Jesus’ ministry; and so Jesus is tired.  He needs a break.  He needs some rest.  And so Jesus takes a vacation.

That’s right!  Jesus took a vacation.  When Jesus goes to the vicinity of Tyre, this is the very first time Jesus leaves Israel.  He goes to where he thinks no one knows him and, apparently, rents a house.

Tyre is a coastal town.  It sits on the Mediterranean.  They have beautiful Sunsets there.

At this juncture Jesus wants to go unnoticed and to keep his identity and presence a secret.   And when he leaves Tyre and makes his way back to Israel, he takes the long scenic route.   That is, Jesus took the 120 mile route rather than the 30 mile route.  And he does no ministering along the way.

The point is this: “Sometimes the most sacred thing you can do is rest.”

Look, to be good for the long haul in ministry or our secular occupation, rest must be scheduled into our weekly, monthly and yearly rhythm.

I just got back from a two-week vacation.  During that time I took no phone calls, and I did not read any texts or emails.  Does that mean I do not care for the people I serve at New Day?  No!  It means that I do care and want to be there for them for the long haul.  And to accomplish that, I must make sure I get rest.  Are you including down time in your life?  Jesus did!

New Day Christian Church meets Sundays at 9:30 and 11 a.m.  They are located at 7155 Hamner Avenue (formerly “A” Street), at Schleisman Road next to the Fire Station.  For more information, call (951) 278-8367, or visit www.newdaycc.net.