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  EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS ON MARK - MARK 6:30-34
  by J.C. Ryle
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Let us mark in this passage, the conduct of the apostles when they
returned from their first mission as preachers. We read that they
"gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both
what they had done, and what they had taught."

These words are deeply instructive. They are a bright example to all
ministers of the Gospel, and to all laborers in the great work of doing
good to souls. All such should daily do as the apostles did on this
occasion. They should tell all their proceedings to the great Head of
the Church. They should spread all their work before Christ, and ask of
Him counsel, guidance, strength, and help.

Prayer is the main secret of success in spiritual business. It moves Him
who can move heaven and earth. It brings down the promised aid of the
Holy Spirit, without whom the finest sermons, the clearest teaching, and
the most diligent labors, are all alike in vain. It is not always those
who have the most eminent gifts who are most successful laborers for
God. It is generally those who keep up closest communion with Christ and
are most constant in prayer. It is those who cry with the prophet
Ezekiel, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these
slain that they may live." (Ezek. 37:9.) It is those who follow most
exactly the apostolic model, and "give themselves to prayer, and the
ministry of the word." (Acts 6:4.) Happy is that church which has a
praying as well as a preaching ministry! The question we should ask
about a new minister, is not merely "Can he preach well?" but "Does he
pray much for his people and his work?"

Let us mark, in the second place, the words of our Lord to the apostles,
when they returned from their first public ministry. Jesus said to them,
"Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

These words are full of tender consideration. Our Lord knows well that
His servants are flesh as well as spirit, and have bodies as well as
souls. He knows that at best they have a treasure in earthen vessels,
and are themselves encompassed with many infirmities. He shows those who
He does not expect from them more than their bodily strength can do. He
asks for what we can do, and not for what we cannot do. "Come with Me by
yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

These words are full of deep wisdom. Our Lord knows well that His
servants must attend to their own souls as well as the souls of others.
He knows that a constant attention to public work is apt to make us
forget our own private soul-business, and that while we are keeping the
vineyards of others, we are in danger of neglecting our own. (Cant.
1:6.) He reminds us that it is good for ministers to withdraw
occasionally from public work, and look within. "Come with Me by
yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

There are few unhappily in the church of Christ, who need these
admonitions. There are but few in danger of overworking themselves, and
injuring their own bodies and souls by excessive attention to others.
The vast majority of professing Christians are indolent and slothful,
and do nothing for the world around them. There are few comparatively
who need the bridle nearly so much as the spur. Yet these few ought to
lay to heart the lessons of this passage. They should economize their
health as a talent, and not squander it away like gamblers. They should
be content with spending their daily income of strength, and should not
draw recklessly on their principal. They should remember that to do a
little, and do it well, is often the way to do most in the long run.
Above all they should never forget to watch their own hearts jealously,
and to make time for regular self-examination, and calm meditation. The
prosperity of a man\

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/jc-ryle/expository-thoughts-on-mark-mark-630-34/
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