Day 4

Day 4

Gift of Rest by Landon M. | Faithbridge Student

 

Genesis 2:1–3

 

God ceases His work of creation by resting on the 7th day, making it a holy day of rest. This day of rest is God’s gift to us! Because we are made in God’s image, we understand that we are called to rest too.

 

After sin entered the world, God’s chosen people, the Israelites, were called to honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy. No work could be done at all! The day that was meant to be a gift to God’s people became a burden—a complicated law.

 

Jesus called Himself the Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8) and showed us how the Sabbath was made to be honored. Jesus confounded the teachers of His day when He declared, “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:11–12). He even healed a man on the Sabbath, which really caused a stir!

 

God’s example shows us that rest is good for us. Jesus’ example shows us that doing good and loving your neighbor is how we can truly honor the Sabbath day.