The Heart of Sabbath

Scripture: And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. Mark 3:2-4

Observation: The Pharisees are looking to accuse Jesus based on another part of today's reading - Number 15. In that, a man is gathering sticks on the Sabbath, and the people consult God because the punishment for Sabbathbreaking was not known. God orders Moses to have the man stoned to death.

However, here in Mark, Jesus addresses the Sabbathbreaking issue with a very clear distinction - the question is about whether or not it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. In other words, there is a big difference between doing good, loving others, and engaging with God in his work on the Sabbath, versus ... just doing idle work, gathering firewood, laboring off on your own, without community with man or God.

Application: Jesus tells us that the Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath, and that he himself is Lord of the Sabbath. It is clear by his example and his words that the Sabbath is a special day, but NOT just because it's a day for rest - a day for man to do nothing. It is a special day because it is explicitly intended to be a day we commune with God. This may (and likely should) involve rest, prayer, and meditation. It can involve love and carrying for others, engaging in mutual discussion about Jesus, or participating in group service for others.

The Sabbath is about having our heart unite with God. It is about being near him, through activities that in fact join with him. This often involves rest. Even when it involves work, it often bring peace of mind, joy, and a rest for our souls.

This is an idea I am going to take with me in the coming weeks, and see how I can incorporate some changes into my family activities to engage my heart with God in a more meaningful Sabbath.

Prayer: Abba, you care about us so much that you truly want us to spend time with you. I will seek that time, and seek your face. May you grant your rest upon not just me, but my family, especially my wife. Give her the time, the peace, the rest, the love, and the engagement with you that she needs to restore her heart and soul. Amen.