30The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
Jesus and the disciples are tired. They withdraw to rest. The crowd discovers their secret place and follows. Jesus, having pity on them, gives up his rest intention and gives himself to the needs of the crowd. It seems to me that the willful decision to self-sacrifice, is sometimes the only answer to pain and tiredness. The modern world continually prescribes alone time, me time, time to oneself. But if one has a life of responsibilities then that option is not a real one. In those circumstances, hand yourself to God. He will give you the necessary perspective, energy and fulfilment to get you through.
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