Making Time for Rest

Jesus was legendary for showing people a new way to understand something. He’d often say, “You’ve heard it said … but I say … ”

In today’s reading, Jesus does something similar. He reminds us that the Sabbath, a day of rest, is a gift for us to receive from God, not just a rule to be obeyed—as the religious leaders of the time seemed to believe.

Rest is a practice God modeled for us within the first two chapters of the Bible—He rested on the seventh day of creation. Sabbath rest was included in the Ten Commandments given to Moses, and it was still practiced by Jesus and His people many, many centuries later.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus helps the people around Him have a deeper understanding of the Sabbath. He says:

… “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27-28 NIV

Jesus modeled the importance of rest. If Jesus took time to unplug and rest, we can too. But there’s something else Jesus is saying in the verse above: He calls Himself “the Lord of the Sabbath.” What is this supposed to mean?

Connecting with Jesus is like an ultimate Sabbath that we can enter into. Living in Him and following His way will offer us the ultimate rest.

Here’s the point: God wants us to have a healthy rhythm of rest. Not just from work, but from anything that distracts us from our purpose as God’s beloved children.

We aren’t commanded to follow strict Sabbath rules, but we’re wise to create rhythms of rest.

Reflect on how you might replace some screen time with a break from technology on a regular basis. You might even try out a weekly Sabbath rhythm in which you avoid social media or limit screen use for a day to spend time with friends, enjoy hobbies, and connect fully with God.

Journal and Reflect

• What’s one way you could practice rest this week?
• Write down when you’ll practice Sabbath next week—even if you start with just a few hours.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the gift of rest. I want to find peace and rest in Your presence. Help me to refocus my mind on You and honor You with a Sabbath. I love You and I trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Learn more about the Sabbath.