12/01/2021
As Christmas Day approaches, and what should be a time of great joy, and restful peace draws near, let’s put down our daily burdens, and ask ourselves how long has it has been since we have taken a true rest on the Sabbath? Just as we say that the Sabbath is a day of rest, and yet continue to work during it, so it is with Advent. In a time when we should be at peace in the anticipation and contemplation of the birth of Christ, we are busily rushing about preparing for parties, decorating our homes, and stressing in shopping malls as we buy gifts. Have we lost the peaceful serenity of the shepherds in the pasture?
“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.”
Hebrews 4:9-10 ESV
Despite what lay ahead for Jesus, He was at rest. We read that He will give us rest too. Many think that He will take our loads from us, but in reality He tells us to simply lean on Him for relief… never taking our burdens, but adding His to ours, while teaching us how to find rest in the midst of our worldly labors.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
When God rested on the Sabbath there was still plenty to do. He didn’t stop creation so that He could find rest, no, he simply stopped what he was doing, making it possible for Himself to rest while all that He had created continued on. He commands us to do the same thing in our lives, and yet we find reasons to continue working on the Sabbath, and stressing over our lives. We neglect to lean on Jesus, and in this way we never seem to find His burden to be light… or ourselves at rest.
““Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
Exodus 20:8, 11 ESV
Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, and in Him we find our rest, and our blessing. Just as with God, the world doesn’t stop for us on the Sabbath, but Jesus teaches us to how to stop in it, and in Him, to find rest, and peace, in the midst of our work, and despite the hustle and bustle of life… even during Christmas.
“For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.””
Matthew 12:8 ESV
When we believe in God, and Jesus Christ His Son, it pleases God. When we keep the Sabbath Holy it pleases God, and when we lean on Jesus, and take His yoke, this pleases God as well. In God’s pleasure we find our peace, and it is just as the angels said on that first Christmas Day when they praised God before the shepherds… “on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””
Luke 2:10-14 ESV
The Sabbath is a day of rest, Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, and as we anticipate Christmas Day during Advent, we should be diligent in the lessons we are taught regarding how to lean on Him, and find in Him that very same rest… that Sabbath rest. We should find in Jesus the rest that God promised to those with whom He is pleased, and this should be ours in this Advent season. So, are we at rest in Him today, or have we continued to stress and struggle in the world? Are we taking the very thing that should be bringing us our greatest peace and rest, the birth of Christ, and allowing its worldly celebration to rob us of our rest, and peace in Him?
“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”
Hebrews 4:11 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the rest you give us in the Sabbath, and the rest we find in your Son Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, as we celebrate His birth, life, death, resurrection, and second coming. Help us Father to find peace in Jesus, and the good health, wellbeing, and spiritual awakening, that comes with taking His yoke upon us, and leaning on Him. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who has loved us enough to send your Son to redeem us, and give us spiritual rest from the world. Praised be your name for lifting the burdens that the world has placed on us, and those that we so often place on ourselves, even as we celebrate and worship you, and your Son. Merciful are you Lord and we find your grace to be sufficient as we walk this way through the world, and struggle to find comfort, peace, and rest in it. Wash us clean with the blood of Jesus, and give us rest and assurance in Him. Help us to be at peace as we stand in judgement before you… at rest in the image of Christ as we bear His yoke. Be pleased in us Father, and allow us to be at rest in your presence forevermore.
Rich Forbes