Pentecost Week Thirteen - Resting in His Presence

This week, we’re headed to Bethsaida—a little fishing village with some big God moments. It’s where Jesus showed us how to rest, how to trust, and how to see His abundance in the everyday.

Spoiler alert: it’s not just about fish and bread! Let's see what Bethsaida has to teach us about living with faith and purpose.

Monday: Resting in His Presence

New Testament:  Luke 9:10
Old Testament: Exodus 33:14Intro:

Easing into this week...  it's gonna get busy soon enough!

Have you ever had one of those moments when life feels so busy that you can’t catch your breath? (huff puff - that's men being tired! And to be honest I have been going non-stop for about a month now!)

The disciples must have felt that way when they returned to Jesus after being sent out to preach, heal, and cast out demons.

These men had poured themselves into ministry, giving everything they had to the people around them. Jesus, knowing their need, invited them to step away to a quiet place and rest.  I'm certain they were anxious to be back around Jesus.  I mentioned last week their return response was rather muted by Luke - v9:10

They are ready for a rest - But then, the rest Jesus offers isn’t just physical—it’s spiritual.

It’s the kind of rest Moses experienced in Exodus 33:14, when God said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

For Moses, rest wasn’t about escaping the wilderness; it was about THIS -> knowing God was with him every step of the way. 

For the disciples, this retreat wasn’t just about getting away from the crowds; it was about reconnecting with Jesus, the source of their strength.

Historical Context: 
Let's start here.... Why Bethsaida?

The name Bethsaida means “House of Fishing,” and this town lived up to its name. The Sea of Galilee was teeming with life, and fishing was the backbone of Bethsaida’s economy.

It was the home of Peter, Andrew, and Philip, three of Jesus’ closest disciples. Imagine them returning to their old stomping grounds, walking the familiar paths, and seeing the shores where they had once cast their nets.

But Bethsaida wasn’t just a fishing village. Around the time of Jesus’ ministry, Philip the Tetrarch expanded the town and renamed it Bethsaida Julias in honor of Julia, the daughter of Emperor Augustus. This Roman influence gave Bethsaida a dual identity: part humble Jewish village, part Romanized administrative center.

And here’s what makes Bethsaida so significant—it sat on the border of two worlds.

To the west was Jewish Galilee, the heartland of God’s chosen people. To the east was the Decapolis, a group of ten Greco-Roman cities known for their pagan temples and Hellenistic culture.

By choosing Bethsaida for this moment, Jesus was quietly foreshadowing something profound - can you guess?

Answer... His Kingdom wouldn’t be limited by borders. It wouldn’t be confined to Jews or Gentiles. It would cross every boundary and reach all people. Even all the way to Coldspring Texas, or Sarasota Florida, or you know - unexpected places.

Modern Application:
In our world, we rush from one task to the next, thinking rest is something we’ll get to later. But Jesus shows us that rest is essential. It’s in those quiet moments with Him that we find the strength to keep going. How often do we let the busyness of life crowd out our time with God?

Reflection
Picture yourself sitting with Jesus in a quiet place. Where is that place? What does it feel like to rest in His presence?

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for inviting me to rest in Your presence.
Teach me to pause and trust in You, even when life feels overwhelming.
Refresh my soul and remind me of the greater calling You’ve placed on my life.
Amen.