sabbath – Page 2 – Be Still…

Holy Week 2020 – Saturday

Jesus had died. There was an emptiness to the world that was hard to describe. A loneliness that seemed to have no end. How could life go on as usual? Imagine the despair that was coupled with fear. I imagine the disciples thought they might be next because of their associations with Jesus. Did any of Jesus’ friends remember his words that he would rise on the third day? For today, let’s also put that knowledge aside. Like Jesus’ followers then, let us be lost in our grief.

Then there was Joseph. A secret follower of Jesus. He had a position on the high council of all things. What would the others think of him now? He boldly came forward and asked for Jesus’ body. He took great care to place Jesus in a fresh tomb. His respect was evident. He had put his reputation on the line here. What would the fallout for that be? Joseph didn’t care. He had been waiting for the Kingdom of God. He had found Jesus, the King himself.

Hebrews 4:1-11 – Rest is Important

Read Hebrews 4:1-11

Our last reading was about obeying God and taking the sabbath rest he intends for us. Today’s passage continues to focus on our need to rest in response to God’s provision. He has prepared it for us, so we should gratefully accept and enjoy. If we don’t, we are being disrespectful to God’s wishes. The author says that only those who believe can enter the rest. If we don’t take God up on his offer, are we saying we don’t believe?

If we say, “I don’t have time to rest,” that, too, is pretty lame. I’ve said those words myself, many times. Now as I’m reflecting on this passage, I’m feeling empowered to do better at resting. I’ve asked forgiveness for all the times of rest I’ve missed out on and set aside the feelings of guilt. Telling God we don’t have time for him is exactly what we’re doing when we fail to take his rest. Ouch – are you feeling empowered yet? Continue reading “Hebrews 4:1-11 – Rest is Important”

Hebrews 3:7-19 – Time to Rest

Read Hebrews 3:7-19

Sabbath rest. What does that mean to you? God worked and worked for six days to create everything that exists, and then he rested on the 7th day. He wants us to rest as well, keeping a day holy and reserved for him. How many of us do what God is asking of us? If we’re working a job 5 days a week, our weekends are precious, and we use the time to get stuff done. How could we ever just sit around and spend time with God? That’s what he wants.

Our passage says, “don’t harden your hearts.” We don’t want to be like those disobedient children in the wilderness who turned from God and refused to do what God told them to do. They were never going to enter rest with God. I don’t know about you, but I’m not crazy about having God upset with me. Will he be upset if I do some work on my day of Sabbath rest? I’ll have to ask him someday. Continue reading “Hebrews 3:7-19 – Time to Rest”

Luke 13:10-17 – Whenever

Read Luke 13:10-17

Jesus is always surprising us and acting “outside the box” of what was expected of a religious leader at that time. But Jesus was more than a religious leader, he was “Lord.” The religious leaders of the time were so caught up in tradition and rules made around the commands of God, they forgot how to be human.

It is so fitting that Jesus would heal on a Sabbath. There are some things that should have no restrictions. Healing would be one of those exceptions. Jesus felt compassion on a woman who had been severely crippled for 18 years. 18 years!! I’ve been married to the love of my life for 18 years, as I write this devotion, and while these have been 18 of the best years of my life, it’s a long time! Continue reading “Luke 13:10-17 – Whenever”

Luke 6:1-11 – What Does Your Sabbath Look Like?

Read Luke 6:1-11

Sabbath is a day set aside for rest and worship. In the Jewish tradition, that is abstinence from work from Friday evening until Saturday evening. For Christians, that would be observed on Sunday. Back when I was a child (the old days, as my kids would say), many stores were closed on Sundays. Not so today.

So what exactly is Sabbath? The Pharisees were certainly strict about it. But then they were so law driven and seemingly strict about everything. You will recall one of the 10 Commandments tells us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Interesting that this command starts with the word “remember.” I don’t think we are doing that great at remembering, do you?

Now, a lot of us go to church on Sunday. But what happens after that? Do we come home and cook a meal? Do we do some laundry, go shopping, mow the grass? Or do we come home and continue our time of worship, take a nap, read the Bible, and spend the remaining hours of our day in prayer? I think the latter is what God intended for us. I’m guilty, a sinner.

Having a day of rest sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Of course, God would have that in his perfect plan for us. Work hard for 6 days, and then rest on the 7th, just as he did. When we rest, we need to be giving thanks for all the blessings we have received.

So, the Pharisees here are really just trying to keep the letter of the law and keep the Sabbath holy. They had their religious system all worked out. Jesus didn’t fit in their mold. They didn’t see him for what he was, WHO he was. Could we be missing Jesus, too?

Jesus wasn’t doing away with the Sabbath, because clearly that is still important to him. He wanted us to know we could be less rigid in our observance. Jesus wanted us to see that human need is more important than human rules and regulations. Further, that he, as God, had created Sabbath, and therefore his authority trumped the rules. The Creator is always greater than the creation.

So, how do you spend your Sabbath rest? Are you feeling a little guilty that maybe you haven’t been keeping it as holy as you should? Me, too.

Let’s pray. Father forgive me that I have been forgetful of your command to keep the Sabbath holy and rest in you. I have been so focused on other things. I will try and do a better job of keeping one day available for only you and my human needs. Thank you for the reminder today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.