Does the Sabbath Apply Today? Part 2

by Andrew Larkin

I ended the last post with this comment:

“Whilst I do not believe keeping the Sabbath is binding on us, I do think it is wise to set aside a day of rest.”

There are three reasons I think this. First, the inbuilt need we have for rest. As humans, we only have a finite amount of energy and need to rest as, most obviously, seen in our need for sleep. We need to rest. Second, the sense that a day of rest is built into the DNA of creation, as seen in the blessing, and making holy, of the seventh day for this purpose in the creation narrative.

Finally, and this will vary depending on situation and circumstances, there seems to have been a pendulum swing between the Pharisees and us.  The Pharisees made the day of rest so much about what NOT to do, that it led to restlessness. Lots of restrictions makes for much angst and so Jesus’ promise of rest comes in the context of a culture that has lost sight that, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.”[1] A former generation kept Sunday as a day of rest but, for many, this just made Sunday a boring day which focused on things you could not do such as watch TV or ride a bike.  There is a time to crash and vege out but too much of that is not restful at all. If it was, people would have come out of covid more refreshed!

The pendulum swing, however, means our issue tends to be too much activity and not enough time to rest. Having a clear day set aside would help go some way to restoring the balance of work, rest and play for many. If our rest is found in Jesus, then giving time to the things that connect us to him that are common to us all,[2] and specific to us,[3] will do us the world of good. The other issue can be that when we do rest, it ends up not being restful. Jesus invites us to find rest in Him, but we tend to look for it in Netflix and binge-watching social media videos. Again, there is a time and a place for this, but you do not need to know Jesus to do those things when tired.

So, what would a day of rest look like? The answer is difficult because it will vary person-person and we do not want to descend into legalism. Here are some suggested principles:

Spend time with the Lord. If a day of rest is a Sunday, then the church service is ideal for this. If it is a different day, seek to get some time in his word and in prayer at a time that suits. It might be the morning before others are up. It might be at lunch. It might be in the evening. Trust that meeting with him will bring rest and refreshment.

It might be a good idea to turn things off which you would usually spend a lot of time on. Maybe put the phone down for the day, resist social media, or refuse to check emails. Whilst a day of rest does not mean doing nothing it surely means there are some things we choose not to do, and detoxing from technology for a day may be of help to many.

It may be worth trying to ease into a day of rest, if possible, rather than “falling” into it. It is striking the original Sabbath goes from sundown-sundown which often then means 36 hours of rest, rather than just 24. In the past, I have appreciated winding down on Friday night, before getting ready to “go again” when Sunday comes, as it is not a day of rest for me. It will be different for others

There are some things we never switch off from, such as being a Mum, Grandparent, Aunt or Uncle; but there are some things we can choose to do on a certain day…or choose not to do. In his book, The Rest of God, Mark Buchanan speaks of a rule of thumb he uses regarding activity on a day of rest. His question for a day of rest if whether an activity feels like something he MUST do or would LIKE to do. If he feels the burden that he MUST do it, he won’t. However, if it is something he would LIKE to do and would be useful to do then, he will.

Examples might include ironing, shopping or doing an exercise class. On a day of rest those things might feel like the last thing in the world you want to do.  So do not do them that day, do them another time. However, if you are out and about and near a shop and you feel up for doing the shopping as you are close to it, can get it done, and that will make things easier, then crack on. I cannot foresee a scenario in which I would enjoy shopping on a day of rest, but my wife might! A different situation for me might be around going to the gym. It is hard, but I also “like” doing it. On a day of rest, I find it can be good to do first thing and then relax. Sometimes, however, it is not restful and so I need wisdom to know when to go and when not to.

It can be tough for parents who need to take children to various classes. I used to take my daughter to her swimming lesson on her day of rest and resented it. I do not think this is because I am selfish (although, doubtless, at times I am) but because it felt like something I HAD to do. Eventually we were able to switch her days and now it does not feel burdensome taking her. I also appreciate such an option is not available to everyone.

I am aware there are all sorts of questions still to be asked but, hopefully, this gives some food for thought about the area of rest. As already stated, I know some people do not have these options and others are in challenging situations such as those working two jobs or parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities or those with aged parents who require care.

God gives grace for each situation, and, for such people, rest may be fleeting, or hard to come by, but when we meet with him, he promises us rest. Let us embrace that promise and run to him.

[1] Mark 2:27

[2] Reading the Bible, praying, worshipping and taking communion when the church meets for example

[3] As we are all different, there are different ways we might draw near to the Lord, meet with him and find rest. A walk in the woods, sitting by the beach, times of solitude, drawing or reading theology (honestly!) might be ways for this to happen.