John 6:3

Followeth another antecedent of the miracle, shewing that however the people do follow and interrupt him, yet he went up for a while into a retired mountain with his disciples, to refresh them with his company. This mountain was not the place where the miracle was wrought, but after he had rested a while here, he came down to the plain to the multitude, as may be gathered from verse 15. Whence learn, 1. Refreshment after labour and travel in Gods service, is so necessary and so lawful, that Christ will have a care to afford it to his servants, even in greatest throng of busines; Therefore, albeit the people do follow and interrupt him, yet he went up into a mountain, for this end. 2. It is the sweet refreshment of Christs followers, when they have not onely vacation, for a time, from their laborious toile, but when they enjoy some familiar hours of fellowship with himself, being free from the noise of distractions in the world; for, thus were they refreshed, there he sate with his disciples, where no doubt he refreshed their bodies with rest and food, as may be gathered from Mark 6.31. but chiefly their souls with divine conferences. 3. Christ is the wise dispenser of his servants refreshments and breathing times, who doth let out their allowances as they may be most useful, and not prejudicial unto them; for he doth not bring them after their toile, to a place of delights, but to a desert and a mountain to rest them in, and allowes it but for a while, or, a little, as it is, Mark 6.31. and presently they are at work again: If Christ did not deale thus, they would finde rest and excesse of delights waste them more, then toile it self.