Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” Mark 2:27-28 NLT
Are you a parent of small children? Teenagers? If so, I am sure you have some rules around your house. I’m also sure of how those rules came about. Andy Stanley says good parents don’t sit around and think up some really good rules, then decide they need to have some kids to keep those rules. Of course not! It’s the other way around. Our children are born out of our love. As we love them and raise them, we discover some rules are necessary to insure their best lives. The relationship always precedes the rules.
With God, as with all good parents, the relationship comes first. God did not think up some really epic rules and then create people to follow them. God’s rules are simply God’s way of saying, “This is how I want you to live. Because I love you and I know what brings the most happiness and fulfillment and peace to you, I have modeled what it looks like to live in rhythm with God’s best life for you.” That’s important to understand when we think about the Sabbath. The Sabbath is for US. It’s not an egotistical God demanding a performance for Him every seven days. It is a loving Father creating a space for our souls to rest and find health because He knows we need it.
Isaiah records God’s desire that we call the Sabbath “a delight,” not a duty. That’s what He wants for us. It is part of His plan to give us His rest. Every seven days He gives us a Sabbath for our souls, a whisper of wonder in a chaotic world. How do we take advantage of it?
First, we remember the meaning and the magnitude of God’s idea. This is a rhythm for life. It’s not something we do when there’s no ball game or birthday party. It’s not hustling to church for 75 minutes, and then running to activities and plans that are just like any other day. It’s a delight to share with Him. A day like no other. If your Sabbath is essentially like any other day, you will never see your restlessness stop. God meant the Sabbath to anchor your week.
Ask God to help you value on your Sabbath the things He values. Time for worship, prayer, reflection, vision. Community. Time with friends and family. Good old-fashioned naps. Physical activity. Doesn’t that sound delightful?
The Sabbath was made for you. Make it delightful. Your Father loves you.
- What is your Father saying to you about appropriately valuing His gift?