stephen R Harrison

“Teach Rest”

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.”

-Exodus 20:8-10

Rest involves more than sleep. It includes but is not limited to the physical. I can’t sleep well when my soul (mind, will, emotions) is anxious. Discontentment, hurt, worry, and even fear can rob us of rest. Jesus is our Sabbath rest, doing all the work necessary on the cross for our salvation (Hebrews 4:1-11). We can rest in his finished work. From the beginning, God established the Sabbath. He gave us the example in creation (Genesis 2:1-3). Jesus clarified the Sabbath’s purpose in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” This was in response to the Pharisees’ accusation of the disciples’ breaking the law of the Sabbath by plucking heads of grain and eating them. Jesus said David ate the consecrated bread as it served a practical need (1 Samuel 21:1-6). Jesus further declared his authority over the tedious and legalistic rituals practiced by saying, “The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28).  

The Sabbath was intended to be a blessing but had been turned into a burden. More restrictions were added than one could keep up with. Jesus healed on the Sabbath to be a blessing and extend mercy and goodness. Some view the Sabbath as a rest from the previous week of work. While not bad, it may be a backward view. While we can find our rest and reset in the Lord on the Sabbath, especially in our Sunday worship, we must allow it to be a reset for the week ahead. New Testament believers are not judged on keeping the Sabbath (Colossians 2:16) as we follow Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, and find our rest and renewal in his abiding presence. Because of his indwelling Spirit, we can be filled and find rest in him every moment of every day of the week.

Lent provides a time of rest in the Lord. In it, we pray, fast, repent, and even pause activities to pursue a closer walk with him. It is a time to be still, know he is God, and exalt him (Psalm 46:10). We should search for sabbaths as rest from our labors and renewal for the upcoming week. There is something special and rewarding about setting and living in spiritual rhythms. Lent allows a reset if these are out of sync or missing. Our practice of Sabbath can also encourage others near us to do the same, inspiring community rest. 

As we continue in our anticipation of Easter, let us pursue the presence of the Lord, repent of our sins, practice spiritual disciplines, and rest in the Lord. Let’s honor the Lord by slowing down, being still, and resisting unnecessary toil.

Questions:  

Do you practice a regular pattern of Sabbath?

What benefits have you seen from practicing the Sabbath? 

What keeps us from practicing a time of Sabbath?

Prayer:

Jesus, you are our Sabbath rest. Thank you for doing everything necessary for us for salvation. Give us contentment. Help us slow down, be still, and enjoy your presence. Thank you for giving us rest, renewal, and reward from our times of Sabbath with you. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Read: 

Exodus 20:1-11

Action Step:

Set a few hours aside one day this week to rest, relax, and be refreshed in the Lord’s presence through prayer and meditating on his Word. Block out distractions like cell phones, social media, and even work. You may need to get thirty minutes outside your home and city. Take a journal. Take a nap. Ask the Lord to renew your heart and mind and give you a fresh vision for the week ahead.