This article was first published in Tabletalk, the Bible study magazine of Ligonier Ministries. Find out more at TabletalkMagazine.co.uk or try it free for three months today at TryTabletalk.co.uk.
Autumn was a busy season. We were back into school. Ministry activities were up and running. The leaves were just beginning to turn, and nights were drawing in. Tiredness seemed to be ever present and increasing. In a city like London, that can be heightened with people having to commute and work long hours. How do we keep fresh? One of the main answers the Bible gives us is this: ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’ There are feasts in the Old Testament, but no holidays. There are no weekends in the Bible. The rhythm of life was ‘Six days you shall labour, and one day you shall rest.’ It is hardwired into creation and humanity. God took the Sabbath day as a pattern for ours (Genesis 2:1-3).
True rest
Of course, rest in Scripture is a rich biblical theme. To truly keep the Sabbath means believing and trusting the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus Christ. It means resting from our own works and trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus. It means recognising that rest can truly be found only in Christ, by Christ, through Christ.
The offer of the gospel is ‘Come unto me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Ultimately, we look forward to that eternal rest: the Sabbath that is still to come. We mustn’t be content with outward conformity, but rather have hearts that receive God’s Word so that we enter into his rest.
