The Lord of the Sabbath
And on the seventh day God finished the work he had done,
And rested on the seventh day. Genesis 2:2
Read Matthew 12:1—8
I think if I am one of those narrow-hearted nitpickers I really need to get right inside a scene like this one. Because, as narrow as the way is that leads to salvation, it is accessed through the heart of Jesus, which beats very large. I’m sure he sees way beyond the finicky practice people had made of the whole matter of the Sabbath. ‘Relax, won’t you?’ he says. ‘Mercy comes first. What kind of God do you think you are dealing with? Is he against you or for you?’ But, deeper in, I’m sure he has seen into the Good News that lies in the Sabbath itself. It’s the very celebration of the Day of the Lord! When we stop from our work and contemplate God’s work. When we are free! Free from thankless labour and slavery. When the Lord is with us. It’s holiday! It’s all good for us! It’s a window into heaven.[1]
Lord, in your word you tell me that there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. You invite me to participate with you in the joyful appreciation of all that you have made, all that you have done. You wish to share the pleasure with me, the fun of it all with me. You wish me to begin with your work, not my work, and to end with your work, not mine. I thank you that in Jesus Christ I can anticipate the Day of the Lord, and I pray that I may live my weekly round as a sign of your mercy to all.
[1] Hebrews 4:1—11