We can all agree that 2020 is problematic, right?
It’s not enough that earth itself is in turmoil (global warming, natural disasters, plagues, etc.). People are as well. It’s our physical and mental health, our economy, our governments, our politics, our social health, and more. Our relationships are suffering. Education is suffering. Churches are suffering.
There is more! Global trade is suffering. Travel is limited. Recreation is dwindling. The earth itself seems to be groaning.
During End Time troubles, where do you find peace?
Does Sabbath Offer You Enough Peace for Today?
Sabbath is the day of rest. It is a day for peace and relationships. It’s a day of calm.
So is your Sabbath enough? Does your once-a-week-worship hold you over for the day-after-day of terror and uncertainty we seem to endure in modern times?
We don’t have to attend church services to celebrate the Sabbath, right? Many of us went several weeks this spring unable to go into our churches. Instead, we turned on our laptops at the appropriate time and tuned in for virtual services and Zoom Sabbath Schools. We made it work. You can see first hand how some Christians continued to celebrate Sabbath during COVID-19 here.
It’s possible to celebrate the Sabbath amid crazy times. It’s possible to gather virtually, sing praises, even build relationships and fellowship during COVID-19. It is possible to rest even amid chaos, but is the Sabbath rest enough for you?
Making Sabbath Enough
Taking a little break for the Sabbath once per week can be kind of like taking a yoga class once per week and then working 100+ hours per week, deal with family issues, parenting, and housework for the rest of the week.
Heading into church on Saturday morning can be a lot like taking a pill or drinking a drink to reduce stress while doing nothing in your life to actually lessen the stress.
The key to bringing quality peace into your Sabbath is to look to the Lord of the Sabbath for guidance.
Jesus didn’t go to the synagogue to sing hymns and pray and then head home. Jesus walked through the city and mingled on His way. Jesus healed those who were sick–on the Sabbath. Jesus interacted with the “undesirables”–on the Sabbath. Jesus taught others–on the Sabbath.
Mark 2:27, 28 says, “And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” When we put our own ideas of what Sabbath should be aside, we can actually give God room to bring us peace. Like the Pharisees, we have the wrong idea. We think that Sabbath blessings come as we jump through the hoops. If we attend church, if we visit the poor, if we give our offerings, Sabbath will give us peace. If we have our house cleaned before Friday sunset and attend vespers and volunteer for church service, Sabbath will give us peace.
This is the mode of thinking that can trap me into unrest on the day of rest. The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath, but Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.
Sabbath doesn’t give us any peace. Jesus gives us Sabbath peace.
When we wear our Sabbath best, and when we forgot to dry the laundry.
When we volunteer for service, and when our toddler screams through the sermon.
When we can make it to church on time, and when we’re 45 minutes late (or miss completely).
When we’re visiting the sick, and when we are the sick.
Jesus gives us the Sabbath peace.
When the world seems to be on fire, Jesus gives us Sabbath peace.
Jesus, Our High Priest
This Sabbath, my pastor happened to preach a sermon that worked right into this message. The sermon, which was on a fairly tough topic, came together beautifully with this truth: Jesus is the guarantor of a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22). Through a study of Hebrews 7 you can see that God puts His trust in Jesus. God has a guarantee in Jesus. He even swears by Jesus.
When everything else seems to be unraveling, you can trust in the One that God trusts.
