On the 2nd Day He Rested

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised  Matthew 16:21 ESV

We all know what happened on that first day, that terrible and blessed day on the cross. On the third day it is very clear that Jesus rose from the dead. But in spite of many ideas and even elaborate tales no one truly knows just what occurred on Holy Saturday. So can we ask the question, “What if Jesus simply rested? What if when Jesus said, “It is finished!” and gave His spirit into his father’s hands He just rested without sorrow, suffering or demands of any kind for that day. What if after three and a half years of ministry in which it was said that he had nowhere to lay his head and scarcely time to eat; that Jesus chose to rest in His Father’s ability to do all that needed to be done for the day.

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What if Jesus rested because it was the Sabbath? What if like a field rests in Winter waiting for Spring rains He lay quietly just as on the day in which the creation of the heavens was completed? Perhaps Jesus just paused to see everything that was good in the new creation now begun. What if there are times in our own lives when there is nothing more holy to do than nothing? What if on this Holy Saturday we could quietly reflect and rest in the completed work of Jesus Christ. What would our lives be like if for even one day we simply trusted God to do all?

The Forgotten Commandment

1509799548052_image.jpgWe Protestants are often pointing out the second commandment but are quite short on remembering the fourth. The phrase “Protestant work ethic” has come down through the years for a reason. We are big on work but sadly short on rest.

When a visitor appears in our church we often show them all the ministries they can be involved with almost like inviting them to apply for a job. It is easy for us as we rush through our busy lives to forget that the first twelve apostles left their work to follow Jesus. Jesus never said, “Come follow me because I have a job for you!” What we need to do is to offer rest to those around us wearied by the task master of this world. God Himself rested on the Sabbath day and He made it Holy. He has given it to us as a gift not a demand. Which of us will pause long enough between all the things we are persuaded we have to do in order to open His gift to us this weekend. Be blessed. and rest for a while with Jesus!

6 Hours on the Cross

It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. Mark 15:25 NIV

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ). …And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
Matthew 27:46‭, ‬50 NIV

In six days God created the heavens and the earth. When He paused at the end of each day He saw that it was good.

In six hours on the cross our Lord finished the work necessary for His new creation. Through suffering He completed something so awesomely good that till today we can call it Good Friday!

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30

As we pause and reflect on this first day …the Lord’s day may we remember His work and rest and worship with thankful hearts.

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