Luke 6:6-11

On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?” After looking around at all of them, he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

What is sabbath?

Is it a time of religious observance? A time of rest?

Is it Sunday for Christians? Friday or Saturday for others?

It is those things but it is also more. Here, the scribes and Pharisees certainly are sticking to the religiously observant part of the definition. It is God's day and no work should happen on it.

But Jesus no so subtly reminds them why we have sabbath; what sabbath is for.

It is for goodness.

It is for life.

Is your life needing some sabbath?

Not simply regular rest. But the kind of rest that restores, unplugs and leads you to a life that is fuller and more abundant.

A life where emails can go unanswered. Where calls can wait. 

Where the soul gets rest.

Sabbath is a law God gave in the commandments.

But it is a law given so that we might truly live.

So that life can be full and met in its entirety. Not skipped over because of deadlines and commitments.

I'm guessing that your sabbath could use a boost. I'll bet there's a practice you could find that would make it more meaningful. That would give your life the fullness it needs.

It isn't too late to start now.

God of sabbath, teach me what rest in you truly means. Amen.