Sabbath rest

Enjoying the Sabbath

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In Mark’s Gospel Jesus pointed out that the opposition he was facing over what He was doing on the Sabbath was from a basic misunderstanding of the command to rest on the seventh day. The Pharisees were acting as if the 4th commandment began when Moses received it on the mountain. But in reality the concept of Sabbath was woven into the very fabric of God’s creation. Genesis tells us that on the seventh day God rested (P.S. he wasn’t tired!). 

Here was God at the end of His creation process, creating one more thing as a gift for man. He created a day to rest together with Adam and Eve. Maybe Adam and Eve just walked through the garden in delighted wonderment saying things like, “Wow that waterfall is amazing God!” or “That giraffe has the longest neck I’ve ever seen!”. God wasn’t interested in their doing something to impress Him. He simply wanted to share that day with them. Later on maybe they sat down by a brook and kicked their feet in the cool water, then lay down on the soft grassy bank and took a nap and there was God right beside them, resting and blessing that first Sabbath day.

When was the last time any of us really took time to receive the gift of Sabbath that God made for us? Does that mean we should just sit around the house afraid to go out? Not at all! In fact Jesus constantly got into trouble by going around helping people on the Sabbath. It was His way of sharing His day with God. Why do we allow the worries of life or the expectations of other people rob from us that joy? We are each unique and in our own way why not celebrate a Sabbath as God intended and simply delight in sharing one day entirely with Him? 

Reflecting on the Sabbath

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Keeping Sabbath is a step of faith with our time in the same way that giving our tithe is a step of faith with our finances.  We give our financial resources trusting that God will multiply what remains, so also our committing to a day of rest will give God the opportunity to multiply our other days with unlimited peace.

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It is amazing how Jesus accomplished more when he was resting than the disciples did when they were busy working.

And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”  But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:24-26

Jesus wasn’t being lazy when He was sleeping. Jesus simply knew that the Father would help Him to do just the right work at just the right time if He rested!

As we rest we depend more fully on Jesus. As we come to a stop even for a few quiet hours our racing thoughts calm to a hush. In that quietness we can begin to hear the whisper of God’s still small voice. That quietness is like the great calm which Jesus brought to the sea by His word. When was the last time that a great calm ruled over the storm of anxious thoughts and struggles in your life?

As believers in Jesus Christ we know that one day we will finish the work of this life. On that day we will enter into the greatest experience of our Sabbath rest in Him and our works will remain behind!

‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” Revelation 14:13