Rest Is a Person, Not a Day

Like most Christians, I used to think the Sabbath was a day. Biblically speaking, it's Saturday.

But understanding that it was Saturday didn't help my walk whatsoever.

I still thought I needed more discipline to feel like I could rest.

But Scripture showed me what I really needed was a true definition of the Sabbath. Not as a day, but as a Person.

When we look at Colossians 2:16-17, Paul calls the Sabbath a shadow, and he says the body is of Christ.

The shadow itself isn't the substance, but it's the proof the substance exists.

Jesus is the true Sabbath.

When you look at the original Hebrew word for sabbath in Exodus 20, it's Shabbat, which literally means to cease, to stop striving.

That's exactly what Jesus offers.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

The Sabbath is not a day. It's a Person.

A phone plugged in doesn't need to recharge. It stays charged because it stays connected. The second it unplugs, it starts draining.

That's me and you and Jesus.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine."

John 15:4 (KJV)

Abide means stay connected. Don't unplug.

This first taught me that true spiritual growth isn't adding more work. It's accepting Jesus' finished work at the cross.

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his."

Hebrews 4:9-10 (KJV)

A lot of Christians miss this verse entirely.

It says entering into God's rest means to actually cease from our own works.

The world and religion teach us that we have to add to what Jesus has done.

Here's how we walk this out.

Step 1: Recognize that most of us aren't resting, we're recovering. We work hard throughout the week and treat Sunday like the day we get to rest. But we honor the Sabbath every single day by resting in the finished work at the cross.

Step 2: We have to believe that Jesus is the true Sabbath and all things point to Him and the eternal rest He secured for us. He kept the commandments because we couldn't. He got crucified because we couldn't. He resurrected to make us right with God.

Step 3: We must always seek rest in Jesus. It's cool and fine to soothe with other things, but it should never replace the spiritual soothing of the Savior.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank You that You showed me the Sabbath wasn't just a day on the calendar but a Person that You sent, and that Person is Jesus Christ. Thank You today for teaching me that the Sabbath was a shadow and that Jesus is the true substance. He is my rest in this chaotic world, and I appreciate that You allowed Him to come down so that I can stop striving. Lord, I ask that You help me abide in You like a branch in the vine. Remind me that every single day is a day for us to rest, not just Sunday, because You are my Shabbat. Thank You, Father God, for everything. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.