Care givers must also care for themselves. Some may think this statement suggests selfishness. To the contrary, if those who provide care for people in great need do not take care of themselves, they will eventually burn out and not be able to help anyone.
Regardless of whether Jesus was ever in danger of burning out, he did indeed withdraw at various times from caring for people’s great needs to be alone with God. Whether it was to recharge his battery or to discern his next steps in ministry, Jesus determined he needed to regroup. Here is one account that highlights this point. While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:12-16; NIV; consider, too, Mark 1:29-39)
About The Author
Harrison Okafor
editor
Judith is a believer, a lover of Christ and a Gospel freak person. A passionate gospel blogger and press writer. I work with GospelHitsNaija.net Media, no 1 Gospel music platform.
