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“Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27, NIV).
We live in a culture of resistance. Resistance to submission. Resistance to confession. And resistance to rest. Why? Because we’re constantly told that we need to do and be more to have “enough.” Even with 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week, we never have enough time, energy, or motivation to get things done. Sometimes, I’ve even thought or wished that I could skip meals, sleep, or using the bathroom so that I could be more productive!
The issue with this type of wishful thinking is two-fold: 1. It’s simply impossible. We’re human beings with limited time, energy, and brain cells for the day. We weren’t created to live like hamsters in wheels, obliged to the rat race of life. But 2. The Sabbath, the gift of rest, was God’s gift to us—not something we should avoid or merely see as rules, restrictions, or pressure.
If we’re honest, most of us feel guilty for resting. Not only do we avoid the Sabbath altogether, but we see it as something we can’t afford to do. Who has the time? But did you know that people who obey the Sabbath scientifically live four to ten years longer than those who don’t? Not only is that more time, but it’s more time intentionally spent. It’s a life spent in line with God’s way of life for us. Because when we’re anxious, productively driven, and overwhelmed, we don’t need to try or push ourselves harder. We need to rest. We need to obey a command given for our good since the beginning of time.
Learning to obey this command won’t come naturally, but 3 truths have made it easier for me to obey:
1. Sabbath Was God’s Idea.
From the book of Genesis to the present, we know that God rested first. But God never grows tired or weary. He didn’t need to rest. And yet, He rested long before we’d ever need to, so that we would have a model to follow. Rest isn’t weakness or an inability to do all the things; it’s trust woven into creation. Sabbath was God’s idea, not to punish us, but to bless us with the rejuvenation He knew we would need.
2. Sabbath Is For Our Good.
Not only was the Sabbath God’s idea, but rest restores our bodies, minds, and souls. Ever tried to complete a task with little sleep? Doesn’t go well, right? The Sabbath works the same way. The more we resist it, the deeper the sleep debt we acquire. Instead of avoiding it, however, we can learn to see it for our good. The Sabbath reminds us that we are humans, not machines. Again, we have limited time, energy, and motivation. But we are loved for who we are, not what we produce.
3. Jesus Clarified the Heart of the Sabbath.
Beyond the other two truths, knowing that Jesus pushed back against the legalism of religion gives me immense hope. Why? Because it means that the Sabbath isn’t rooted in strict rules, condemnation, or unrealistic expectations. The Sabbath was meant to bring life, not shame. So if rest feels unlikely, impossible, or heavy for you, then we’ve misunderstood it.