Why Sabbath isn’t about doing less but trusting more.

05/15/25

Sabbath became a gift to His people— a weekly rhythm of rest, renewal and the unhurried enjoyment of God.

23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” — Mark 2:23–28 (NIV)

The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” (v. 24)

…“Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” (vv. 25-26)

…“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” (vv. 27-28)

…“Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” — Mark 2:8–11 (NIV) 

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (v. 27)

The Sabbath is “a gift of God to His people—a weekly rhythm of rest, renewal and the unhurried enjoyment of God.”

From “a weekly rhythm of rest, renewal, and the unhurried enjoyment of God” to “a way of living marked by rest, renewal, and the unhurried enjoyment of God”

“Time off won’t heal you when the problem is how you spend your time on.” ~ Carey Nieuwhof

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him… — Psalm 37:7a (NIV) 

Choosing Sabbath is choosing to rest in the truth that God—not our works—gives us our identity and sustains our lives.

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (v. 27)

What would it look like for you to truly receive the Sabbath as a gift this week?

“The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. (v. 28)

If Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath—and Lord of your life—what does it look like to let Him shape how you live, work, and rest?