21/08/2022
At Trinity, August is the month of rest. It is the time when we stop to enjoy Godās presence, refocus our minds and hearts on Christ and receive the Fatherās love afresh.
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āāCome to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.ā (Matt. 11:28-29)
All this talk of rest right before a passage that deals with Sabbath? This is no mistake. The people have become weary and burdened by the heavy weight of observing the Sabbath, following the letter of the law while missing Godās intent behind the command.
Jesus wants to clarify the meaning of Sabbath for them. The people are in need of restāto stop hard work (shabbat) and be present together with God (nuakh). And Jesus is here to usher in the full promise. He is Godās rest, and the people can come to him and find the true seventh-day rest that God intended.
Jesus reminds the people of Godās original intention for the Sabbath: unity with God, creation, and each other. Jesus teaches that the Sabbath points to him, the one promised through all of Israelās prophets, the one who would mercifully restore the rhythm of all creation.
When followers of Jesus recognize the Sabbath, we live as if this restoration has already taken place. We take a break from the broken rhythms of hustle and hardship to set aside a time to honor Jesusā rule, enjoy his presence, and extend rest to the world around us. When we trust Godās invitation to come to him and truly rest, we become places where his presence can dwell.ā
- taken from The Bible Projectās blog, Keeping the Sabbath