In fact, it wasn’t about a particular day but about the rhythm of work then rest that God established in Genesis. Six days He worked, then rested on the seventh. The Jews made that Saturday but added a long list of things not to be done, even a rule about how far a person could walk on that day without breaking the Sabbath. We normally think of Sabbath as Sunday but it does not have to be that day.
Instead the message was about the love of God that knows how badly His people need the rhythm of work then rest. We were told many ways to do that, from having a nap, to taking a walk, to relaxing with a hobby, and several other to-do’s rather than a list of do-not items, like playing or shopping. We live in such a fast-paced world and need to slow down and relax.
I appreciated the emphasis to avoid tradition. Today’s devotional reading addresses some traditions that can lock us into rules and regulations instead of the rest that God intended. Jesus was not big on tradition either, and much more concerned with the state of our hearts:
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” (Matthew 15:1–9)I read about traditions this week. Some of them come from assumptions, like three wise men because there were three gifts brought to Jesus, but nowhere are the number of Magi listed. Another is that ceasing from labor means not turning on the stove to cook a meal, or never going to a store because we are out of milk. Jesus did say; “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27–28)
Our pastor pointed out that Jesus did many healings on the Sabbath and was teaching on that day, much to the consternation of the religious establishment. Doing good is not considered “work” and pointed out that “rest” could simply be a change of pace, a focus on the goodness of God instead of stressing or even pampering ourselves. Why not turn off mobile phones, remove some to-do items off calendars, stop watching TV, stop using social media, email, and instead engage with people fact-to-face. The idea is to work from rest, not work for rest. If I say TGIF, I’m not thinking God’s way about rest. Instead, spend time with God, alone or with others, and drawing strength from Him, learning more about Him, and doing life-giving activities.
My hubby and I drove around the neighborhood where we now live, seeing what it is like. Then, since we both like books we spent most of the afternoon in a large, nearby library reading material that did not add to the pressures of life and work. It was lovely.
PRAY: Jesus, these ideas about Sabbath rest make me realize afresh that waiting on You, slowing down to think about You, is life-giving. I come into today with past worries forgotten and a renewed sense of what is important. I’m thankful that You put this series into the hearts of our church leaders and give them truth to share rather than judgment about how to spend time at rest. For me, it was refreshing. Being on life’s fast track 24/7 is not Your will. Thank You for the rhythm of work and rest and for giving us the Sabbath and inviting me to time with You to renew my strength.
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