Are you afraid to REST?

Believe it or not, we have finished the Gospel of Mark. Before we dive into another book, which often means a long commitment, I want to take some time to explore topical messages, addressing issues and subjects that might not come up unless we intentionally focus on them. Today’s message is less a lecture or sermon and more a reflection on ideas I’ve been pondering, specifically the concept of Sabbath.

When Sabbath discussions arise, they often center on two familiar questions. First, is the Sabbath still relevant today? Was it an Old Covenant obligation given to Moses, and are we still required to observe it? The word "obligated" is key here. Second, does the day of the week matter? The Old Covenant specified a particular day, but in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul suggests the specific day may not be critical. Today, I’m not addressing either of these questions. I’ll leave them for another time. Instead, I want to focus on an observation about many American Christians, as I haven’t surveyed Christians globally in places like Canada, Uganda, or Nepal to know if this applies universally.

What I’ve noticed is that underlying many Sabbath discussions is a fear—a fear that some form of Sabbath observance might still be required, and that feels threatening. In America, where personal autonomy and freedom are highly valued, the idea of Sabbath can seem like an intrusion on our plans, schedules, and individualism. It might disrupt our golf games, boating trips, or even mundane tasks like finishing taxes. For many, Sabbath feels like a deprivation, a kind of bondage, where God is taking something away from us. We read about the Pharisees’ rigid rules around the Sabbath and their confrontations with Jesus and His disciples, and it reinforces this sense of restriction. The possibility that Sabbath might infringe on our desires can feel daunting.

However, Scripture reveals that Sabbath is the opposite of bondage or deprivation—it is freedom. Sabbath is meant to be a breath of fresh air, a time to live in the peace of knowing God is in control, allowing us to rest and unburden ourselves. Let’s explore this through Scripture to understand God’s intent for the Sabbath, starting at the beginning.

In Genesis 2:2-3, we read, “On the seventh day God finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all His work that He had done in creation.” While the word “Sabbath” isn’t used here, this passage is foundational to the Sabbath concept, as we see when God gives instructions to Moses.

Turn to Exodus 20, where we find the Ten Commandments. In verses 8-11, God says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Notice the emphasis on “rested” in verse 11. This word is crucial, especially if we view Sabbath as bondage. Rest doesn’t sound like shackles or coercion; it sounds like freedom—a divine invitation to pause from labor.

The Sabbath isn’t just about ceasing work; it’s about resting. You can stop working without truly resting, and I’m sure we’ve all experienced that. Rest means taking a break to be refreshed, not merely pausing activity. Exodus 20:10 also shows that Sabbath is for everyone in your household—children, servants, animals, and guests. It’s not about dumping your burdens on others so you can rest. God’s design ensures everyone shares in this rest, regardless of social status.

For further insight, let’s turn to Deuteronomy 5:12-15, where the Ten Commandments are reiterated. The passage mirrors Exodus but adds a unique perspective in verse 15: “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” Here, Sabbath is tied to deliverance from slavery. In Egypt, there was no rest—only relentless work. Sabbath is a luxury, a gift of freedom that slaves couldn’t enjoy. It’s like an all-expenses-paid vacation, where God says, “Rest, because I’m in control. I’ve delivered you, and My provision sustains you.” This echoes Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God,” reminding us that God’s sovereignty allows us to rest in peace.

This theme of deliverance and rest deepens in Hebrews 4:1-11, which speaks of a promise of entering God’s rest. It references the rest Israel sought in the Promised Land but points to a greater Sabbath rest—freedom from the burden of sin through Christ. In Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian’s burden of sin falls off at the cross, illustrating this rest. Though his journey continues with challenges, the weight of sin is gone. Similarly, Hebrews 4:11 points to an eternal Sabbath rest in the new heavens and new earth, where all striving ceases. Revelation 14:13 reinforces this: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on… that they may rest from their labors.”

Sabbath, then, is both a gift and a reflection of God’s deliverance—past, present, and future. It reminds us of salvation through Christ and points to our eternal rest. Without debating its obligation or specific day, let’s consider its potential in our lives. How often do we feel exhausted, overwhelmed by tasks or unexpected stressors? In those moments, rest seems impossible. But Sabbath isn’t just physical rest; it’s a spiritual oasis, a pause to trust God’s sovereignty. Think of Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings, where the hobbits find relief from fear and anxiety, not forgetting the future but free from its grip in the present. John Owen describes Sabbath as “a rest in God through Christ, of peace with Him, of acceptance with Him, of confidence in Him, of enjoyment of Him.”

To embrace this, we must avoid common mistakes. First, failing to prepare. Sabbath doesn’t happen automatically. In the Old Testament, the day before the Sabbath was a day of preparation—gathering extra manna or making provisions. Similarly, we must plan for rest, creating space in our schedules. Second, filling Sabbath with distractions. Our culture, with its short attention spans and constant stimuli, makes it hard to be still. Even on a day off, we might clutter it with tasks or mindless activities, losing its purpose. Third, neglecting the spiritual. Sabbath is about resting in God’s goodness, not just taking a break. Time with God—through prayer, Scripture, or meditation—should be a mini-Sabbath, woven into our daily lives.

In summary, Sabbath is a luxurious gift of resting in God’s capable care. It’s an opportunity to set aside labors and concerns, trusting God, so we can commune with Him, fellowship with others, and delight in His creation. Sabbath reflects the victory of Christ’s salvation and points to our eternal rest in God’s presence. Let’s pray.

Dear Lord, we thank You for the gift of Sabbath. Too often, we misunderstand it as a burdensome obligation. Help us see it as the oasis You intended—a time to rest in Your loving, capable arms. Remind us of the grace of our salvation through Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal rest. May we carve out time to be refreshed in Your presence, trusting Your sovereignty. Amen.