At the start of our time in Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to have a sabbath weekend with my other logistics coordinators. This was a weekend that we were able to put our logistical duties on hold and rest.
Sabbath is something new to me.
It’s a part of the 10 commandments so it must be pretty important, right? Before I came on the World Race I had a pretty basic understanding of what Sabbath was. I went to church on Sunday’s and that seemed sufficient. But I am learning it’s so much more than that.
Sabbath is supposed to be a holy day with the Lord, a day to rest WITH Him and abstain from work.
But life in America is busy and there are so many things that need to be done, how could we possibly make a day free from work? We live in a world where things are nonstop moving and patience is a not well-seen characteristic.
But this is what God asks of us.
I’m going to take us back to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, two very important days, but I want to focus on the days that are in between.
At this point in the gospel, Jesus has already died upon the cross and Joseph, a man of high position, went against his authority and asked for the body. As he took wrapped the body and took it to the tomb, both Mary and Mary Magdalene watched.
“Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.” Luke 23:50-56
Could you imagine the anticipation these women felt? They knew that Sabbath was near, so they did all they could before and prepared the spices, on a day of PREPARATION.
It’s easy to fall into this trap of, “there’s too much work to be done” and make excuses not to take a day of rest. But these women waited. What’s stopping us from having a day of preparation so we can fully sabbath?
That’s powerful and convicting.
“Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” Luke 24:1-3
What if these women didn’t wait? What if these women decided to go against God’s command and went to the tomb that next day?
THE STONE WOULD STILL BE COVERING THE TOMB.
These women knew how important this day is to the Lord and how important it is for us to honor it that they waited before going back to see OUR MOST HIGH KING. Yet, we have a difficult time doing it in today’s world.
What do we miss when we DON’T wait?
When rest isn’t taken, we can actually miss out on things because we are too early. He loves us enough to make it a whole day. He loves us enough that He cares about our well-being. He loves us enough that He doesn’t EXPECT us or WANT us to be nonstop moving machines.
God planned it that way, God planned it for there to be a sabbath in between death and resurrection and that just proves the importance of it.
There will always be greatness beyond the wait. Be patient and press into the time we have with the Lord. Take the time to prep so that our Sabbath is full of rest and restoration so you can go back and work hard.
Find the time to rest.
I promise it’ll be worth it.
