In our last post, A Living Community, we looked at how God calls us into a global family—the Church. But as “the Faith People” navigating a 24/7 world, how do we sustain the life of that community without burning out? The answer lies in a rhythm woven into the very fabric of creation: The Sabbath.

The Original Intent

The Sabbath is not a suggestion; it is a core principle of the Ten Commandments designed for wholeheartedly loving God and others (Exodus 20:8-11). From the beginning, God set the seventh day apart (Genesis 2:2-3). He intended the Sabbath to be a delight, not a burden—a day where ordinary work stops so we can focus entirely on worshiping Him (Isaiah 58:13-14; Nehemiah 13:15-19).

Jesus: The Lord of the Sabbath

By the time Jesus arrived, the religious leaders had buried God’s “delight” under a mountain of 39 categories of forbidden work, known as the Mishnah. They made it a sin to even carry a mat or heal the sick! Jesus intentionally exposed this legalism. When challenged for healing on the Sabbath, He made a staggering claim: “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:8-17).

While God rested from creating, He never ceases to sustain. He still makes the wind blow and the crops grow on the Sabbath (Psalm 104:27-30). Jesus, being one with the Father, continues the work of redemption and “sustains all things by his powerful word” (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus didn’t dismiss the law; He fulfilled it, showing that the Sabbath is for mercy and restoration, not rigid ritual.

From the Seventh Day to the Lord’s Day

From the creation of the world until the resurrection of Christ, the Sabbath was observed on the last day of the week. However, the resurrection of Jesus changed everything.

As the Westminster Confession notes, the “moral and perpetual commandment” to set apart one day in seven remains, but after Christ rose, the day shifted to the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2). This is what Scripture calls The Lord’s Day (Revelation 1:10). It is our “Christian Sabbath,” marking the new creation begun in Jesus.

How We Keep it Holy

Keeping the Sabbath holy isn’t about “doing nothing.” It’s about ordering our affairs beforehand so our hearts can be fully present. It involves:

  • Rest: Moving away from our own works, words, and thoughts about worldly employment (Exodus 31:15-17).
  • Worship: Engaging in public and private exercises of praise.
  • Mercy: Performing duties of necessity and mercy, just as Jesus did.

Observing Lent: A Call to the Believers

We live in a culture that wears “busyness” as a badge of honor. But as “the Faith People,” our rest is a witness. It says to the world: “My work does not sustain me; my God does.” I challenge you this week: Intentionally pull away from one obligation or digital distraction. Stop the “hustle” for 24 hours. Use that time to feast on who God is in Christ.

Whether your job allows you to rest on Sunday or requires a different day, the principle remains: Build a season of refreshment into your week. Use this rhythm to help your family see your total dependence on Christ. He is not just the Lord of the day; He is your strength.

Reflect: Is your Sabbath a “delight” or just another item on your to-do list? What is one “worldly employment” you can set aside this week to focus on Christ?

Next Step:

Resting in God’s presence naturally leads to talking with Him. Join me in the next post: What is Prayer?