Introduction: The Importance of Rest

Good evening! So this week we’re continuing our journey through the Ten Commandments in our series, “Old Laws for a New Life.” Today, we come to the Fourth Commandment. And just right away, before we talk about anything else, I just want us to read it together in Exodus 20:8-11:

Imagine for a moment that you're at a busy intersection. Cars are zooming by, horns are honking, people are rushing to and fro. The pace is frantic, almost chaotic. Like Broadway in downtown Nashville on just about any given night of the week. The neon signs are flashing, music is blaring from every bar and honky-tonk, tourists are weaving through the crowds, and the energy is electric but exhausting. Now, imagine that in the midst of all this hustle and bustle, someone steps out into the street and holds up their hand. And miraculously, everything stops. And by everything, I mean everything. The cars come to a halt, the neon signs flicker off, the music fades away, and the constant motion ceases. For a moment, there's stillness and quiet. And in that sudden silence, you can hear things you couldn't before. The gentle rustle of leaves in the trees lining the street. The soft cooing of the birds that are perched on a nearby building. Maybe even the sound of your own heartbeat, which you hadn't noticed was racing just moments ago.

In this unexpected moment where everything is paused, you notice details that were lost in the chaos. The intricate architecture of the historic buildings. The expressions on people's faces - some confused, some relieved, some suddenly aware of how tired they are. You might even catch a glimpse of the stars above, usually hidden by the city's glare. This moment of stillness feels almost sacred. It's as if time itself has taken a deep breath, allowing everyone caught in its flow to do the same. You feel your shoulders relax, your breathing slow, and your mind clear. Now, as quickly as it came, the moment passes. The person lowers their hand, and gradually, the city comes back to life. The cars start moving, the music swells again, and people resume their hurried pace. But something has changed. Even if no one else does, you remember what happened. You remember what it felt like. You've experienced a taste of true rest, a momentary Sabbath in the midst of chaos. And you realize how much you needed it, how much everyone around you needed it, even if they didn't know it.

This image captures the essence of what the Sabbath command offers us. It's not just a pause in activity, but a reorientation of our entire being. It's a divine 'stop sign' in the frantic pace of our lives, allowing us to remember who we are, who God is, and what truly matters. Just as that moment of stillness on Broadway revealed things that were always there but overlooked, the Sabbath invites us to see our lives, our world, and our God with fresh eyes. It's God stepping into the frantic pace of our existence and saying, "Stop. Rest. Remember who I am and who you are."

But here's the thing: we often struggle with this command. We live in a culture that glorifies busyness, that equates rest with laziness, that pushes us to be productive every waking moment. We're constantly connected, constantly 'on', constantly going, doing, trying, producing. And in the midst of all this, the idea of setting aside a whole day for rest can seem not just challenging, but almost impossible. So in light of that, I want us to dive deep into this commandment. I want us to explore what it meant for the Israelites who first received it, what it means for us today, and how we can find true, soul-deep rest in Christ. Because I believe that this commandment, far from being an outdated relic, holds the key to a rhythm of life that can bring us joy, peace, and a deeper connection with God.

God’s Pattern of Work and Rest

Let's start by looking at the foundation of this commandment. To do that, we need to go back to the very beginning, to Genesis 2:2-3:

Now, let's pause here for a moment. Does God need to rest? Is the Creator of the universe somehow tired after six days of work?

Of course not. God, in His infinite power, does not require rest as we do. He doesn’t rest because He’s exhausted from six days of hard work. Instead, God "rests" to set a pattern for creation. He ceases His work not out of necessity but because His creative work is complete. As you’ve heard, God didn’t create the universe because He was bored, lonely, or needed something to fill a void. He is fully sufficient and complete in and of Himself. Out of His love, His creative power overflowed into all that we see and know—the galaxies, the ecosystems, and even the invisible constructs like time itself.

God’s "rest" on the seventh day, therefore, is not a rest of exhaustion but of completion and satisfaction in His creation. The verb used for "rest" here, "שָׁבַת" (shabbat), carries the meaning of ceasing activity and taking a stable, secure position. God was not stepping away from His creation out of fatigue but settling into His role as the sovereign ruler of the completed cosmos. Just as when Jesus said “It is finished” on the cross (John 19:30), signifying the completion of His work of redemption, God's rest on the seventh day is a declaration of completion.

This idea of a day of rest was revolutionary in the ancient Near East. Nahum Sarna in his commentary on Exodus (p. 111) discusses how in the cultures surrounding Israel, there was no concept of a weekly day of rest. For example, Egyptian and Babylonian societies worked continuously without a designated rest day. Life was a constant cycle of work, often driven by the rhythms of nature and the demands of survival. But here, right at the beginning of the Bible, we see God establishing a different pattern. John H. Walton, in his commentary on Genesis and his book The Lost World of Genesis One, notes that (and I’m paraphrasing here) in the ancient Near Eastern mindset, rest was associated with temple building. When the gods rested, it was in the temple that had been built for them. So, when God rests on the seventh day, it's as if He's taking up residence in the cosmic temple He's just created. He's declaring His rule and authority over creation.

But God doesn't just rest Himself; He builds it into the very fabric of the universe. And then, in the Fourth Commandment, He commands His people to follow this pattern. Now, let's think about what this meant for the Israelites. Remember, they had just come out of slavery in Egypt. For generations, they had lived under a system where they were forced to work constantly, where their value was measured solely by their productivity. And now God comes to them and says, "No. That's not how I designed life to be lived. I want you to work, yes, but I also want you to rest."

This command would have been both liberating and challenging for them. Liberating, because it affirmed their dignity as human beings made in God's image, not just cogs in a never-ending productive machine. But challenging too, because it required a radical reorientation of their understanding of time, work, and their relationship with God. The Sabbath, you see, isn't just about physical rest, although that's certainly part of it. It's about stopping our normal activities to focus on spiritual renewal. It's a day set apart, a day to remember who God is and who we are in relation to Him. It's a pause in our regular rhythms to realign ourselves with God's rhythm.

This is why the command begins with the word "Remember." The Hebrew word here, זָכוֹר (zakor), carries the sense of marking something, of keeping it in mind. God is saying, "Don't forget this. Don't let the busyness of life crowd out this essential rhythm I've built into creation." And notice the language used: "keep it holy." The Hebrew word for holy, קָדוֹשׁ (qadosh), means set apart, distinct, other. God is calling His people to make this day different, to set it apart from the other six days of the week. This idea of a holy day, a day set apart for God, would have been a powerful reminder to the Israelites of their identity as God's chosen people. In a world where time was often seen as cyclical, where the days blended into each other in an endless round of work and survival, God gives His people a linear concept of time, with a clear rhythm of work and rest, oriented towards Him.

The Challenge of Keeping the Sabbath

Now, you might think that after generations of slavery, the Israelites would have embraced this command with open arms. A day off every week? Sign me up! But the reality is, as John Durham, in his commentary on Exodus, notes that "Keeping the Sabbath proved to be the most difficult command to keep."

Why?

Well, think about it. When you've been conditioned to believe that your worth is tied to your productivity, when you've internalized the idea that to stop working is to invite disaster, it's not easy to suddenly shift gears and embrace rest. The Israelites had spent generations in Egypt, where their value was measured by the number of bricks they could produce, where rest was a luxury they simply couldn't afford. The rhythm of constant work had become ingrained in their very beings and into who they were as a people. To suddenly be told, "Stop working for a whole day" would have felt not just foreign, but possibly even threatening. Moreover, in the agrarian society of ancient Israel, taking a day off could have real, tangible consequences. Crops don't stop growing, animals don't stop needing care just because it's the Sabbath. There was likely a constant temptation to "just do this one thing" on the Sabbath, which could easily lead to ignoring the command altogether.

We see this struggle play out throughout Israel's history. The prophets frequently call out the people for neglecting the Sabbath. In Jeremiah 17, for instance, God warns the people about carrying burdens on the Sabbath day. This wasn't just about physical burdens, but about continuing the work of buying and selling, of maintaining the rhythms of everyday life instead of setting aside a day for rest and worship. In Nehemiah 13, we see Nehemiah rebuking the people for buying and selling on the Sabbath. He even goes so far as to order the gates of Jerusalem closed on the Sabbath to prevent traders from entering the city. This shows how deeply ingrained the habit of constant work had become, that such drastic measures were needed to enforce the Sabbath rest.

But this struggle isn't just ancient history. We face the same challenges today, don't we? We live in a culture that's always 'on', a world that never seems to stop. Our phones ping with notifications 24/7, our email inboxes are always filling up, there's always one more thing to do, one more task to complete.

How would you feel if when you came in here this evening, I said, “Tonight we’re turning our phones off. Completely.”

In many ways, our situation may be just as challenging than that of the ancient Israelites. They at least had the natural rhythms of day and night, of seasons, to remind them of the need for rest. We, on the other hand, live in a world of artificial light and climate control, where we can work around the clock if we choose to. The global nature of our economy means that somewhere, someone is always working. The pressure to keep up, to stay competitive, can be overwhelming. We're bombarded with messages telling us that success comes from hustle, from grinding, from outworking everyone else. And in this always-on world, the idea of setting aside a whole day for rest can seem not just difficult, but almost irresponsible. "How can I possibly take a day off?" we think. "There's so much to do!" We worry that if we stop, even for a day, we'll fall behind, we'll miss out, we'll fail.

How much different are we from the Israelite culture that tired their worth to their production? We've internalized the exact same message: we are what we do. And so the idea of intentionally not doing, of choosing to rest, can feel deeply uncomfortable. We may even feel guilty when we're not being "productive," as if rest itself is a form of laziness or selfishness. This internalized pressure can be especially challenging for those in helping professions or ministry. There's often a sense that taking time for rest means neglecting those who need our help. We can fall into the trap of thinking that our constant availability is a measure of our dedication or effectiveness. And if you’re thinking, “Uh, I have no problem not doing something. I love just doing nothing.” Let me shift perspectives on this. Have you ever tried to use busyness as a way to avoid deeper issues? It's easier to stay constantly occupied than to slow down and face the questions and fears that might surface in quiet moments. Than to have to sit down with your own thoughts. Busyness can be a form of escapism, a way to avoid confronting the parts of ourselves or our lives that we're uncomfortable with.

In our hyper-connected world, we've also developed a fear of missing out. There's always another email to check, another social media post to read, another news update to follow. The idea of disconnecting for a day can provoke anxiety - what if something important happens and we're not aware of it?

So what are some of the specific obstacles that keep us from embracing rest today? I’ve put together a list of 8.

1. The pressure of productivity: We live in a culture that values doing over being. We're constantly pushed to achieve more, produce more, be more efficient. This pressure comes not just from external sources, but from our own internalized expectations. We've bought into the myth that our value is determined by our output.

2. The fear of missing out: In our hyper-connected world, there's always something happening. Taking a day to disconnect can feel like we're missing out on important information or opportunities. We worry that if we're not constantly engaged, we'll fall behind or be left out.

3. The addiction to busyness: For many of us, busyness has become a habit, almost an addiction. We feel uncomfortable, even anxious, when we're not doing something. The constant stimulation of activity has become our norm, and the quiet of rest can feel unsettling.

4. The confusion of identity: When we've tied our identity and worth to what we do, not doing can feel like losing ourselves. We may struggle with the question, "Who am I if I'm not a (insert profession or hobby or activity here)?" This can make true rest feel not just difficult, but almost threatening to our sense of self.

5. The neglect of soul care: Our society puts such a focus on physical health and mental wellbeing, but how often do we often neglect the care of our souls, which is what true Sabbath rest is all about. We may not know how to engage in activities that nourish our spirits, or we may not see the value in taking time for spiritual renewal.

6. The misconception of rest: Often, we misunderstand what true rest is. We might think of rest as merely physical relaxation or entertainment, missing the deeper spiritual and emotional renewal that Sabbath rest offers. This can lead to "rest" that doesn't actually refresh or renew us. Like when you take a nap but wake up more tired than before.

7. The tyranny of urgency: In our fast-paced world, everything can feel urgent. We can fall into the trap of constantly responding to the immediate at the expense of the important. Taking time for rest requires us to step back and reassess our priorities.

8. The illusion of indispensability: We may believe that things will fall apart if we're not constantly involved. This can be especially challenging for those in leadership positions. Learning to delegate and trust others is an important part of embracing Sabbath rest.

These challenges are real, and they're not easy to overcome. They're deeply ingrained in our culture and often in our own psyches. But I believe that the Sabbath command, far from being an outdated rule, offers us a life-giving alternative to the exhausting pace of modern life. The Sabbath invites us to step off the treadmill of constant productivity, to remember that our worth isn't determined by what we do, but by who we are as children of God. It calls us to trust that the world will keep turning even if we pause for a day. It offers us the opportunity to realign our priorities, to nurture our relationships with God and others, and to find renewal for our souls.

Finding Rest in Christ

Now, as we think about how to apply this command in our lives today, we need to look at how Jesus interpreted and fulfilled the Sabbath command. Because like all of the Old Testament law, the Sabbath finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

Jesus had a lot to say about the Sabbath, and His words and actions often got Him into trouble with the religious leaders of His day. They had turned the Sabbath into a burden, with countless rules about what constituted work. But Jesus consistently emphasized that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath:

This statement by Jesus is intense. He's reminding us that God's commands, including the Sabbath, are for our benefit. They're not arbitrary rules designed to make our lives difficult, but gifts intended to bring us life and flourishing. When we view the Sabbath through this lens, it transforms from a burden into a blessing.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus makes this incredible invitation:

Do you see what Jesus is doing here? He's presenting Himself as the fulfillment of the Sabbath. He's saying, "I am your rest. In me, you will find the deep, soul-level rest that you're longing for." This invitation is major. Jesus is not just offering a day off work; He's offering a complete reorientation of our lives. He's inviting us to find our rest, our peace, our identity, not in what we do or don't do, but in Him.

In theology, this is what we call (and get ready for a long complicated theology term, just kidding) grace.

This is the essence of grace - that our worth and our rest are found not in our own efforts, but in Christ's finished work. This doesn't mean that the practice of setting aside a day for rest is no longer valuable. But it does mean that our understanding of Sabbath rest needs to be centered on and surrounded by Christ. He is our ultimate rest, our peace, our refuge from the storms of life.

The writer of Hebrews picks up on this theme in chapters 3 and 4, comparing the rest that Joshua gave the Israelites when they entered the Promised Land with the greater rest we find in Christ. He writes:

This passage suggests that the Sabbath points forward to the ultimate rest we find in Christ - rest from our striving, rest from our attempts to earn God's favor, rest in the finished work of Christ on our behalf. But this rest isn't just a future hope; it's a present reality for those who are in Christ. We're invited to enter that rest now, to find our identity and worth not in what we do, but in who we are in Christ.

This understanding of Sabbath rest in Christ should transform how we approach both our work and our rest. We work, not to prove our worth or earn God's favor, but as a response to the rest we've already found in Christ. And we rest, not out of mere obedience to a command, but as a joyful acceptance of the gift God offers us in Christ. So, what does this look like practically? It means we're invited to find both spiritual renewal in Christ and physical restoration by honoring rest. It's not an either/or proposition, but a both/and.

We need physical rest. Our bodies and minds need time to recharge, to step away from the constant demands of work and productivity. But we also need spiritual rest, time to reconnect with God, to remember who we are in Christ, to reorient our hearts and minds towards Him.

Let me share a personal illustration. As I serve at New Hope, I find myself in a constant balancing act. I'm working full-time at the church, studying full-time in seminary, diving deep into Greek, church history, and various theological studies. It's a lot to juggle, and there are certainly times that I find myself falling into patterns of overwork. I’m up late studying Greek paradigms, declensions, spending hours at the church planning out our Connect Groups, reorganizing all of our production stuff, preparing for Sundays, and then trying to squeeze in all of the hundreds of pages of reading for Church History classes. I’ll find myself sometimes telling myself that it’s all necessary to be effective in ministry, to excel in my studies, to grow in my understanding of God’s Word – and those are all good things. But I’m learning, sometimes the hard way, about the true importance of Sabbath rest. It’s a daily struggle to set boundaries, to ensure that I have time to rest, to be with my family in a way where I’m simply present and there. I have to constantly remind myself that being effective in ministry and academics isn’t about constantly doing, but about finding balance and rest in Christ.

As I wrestle with implementing this rhythm of rest, I'm beginning to see its benefits. When I do manage to step back and rest, I find that I return to my work and studies more refreshed, more creative, and more attuned to God's leading. I'm realizing that the rest Jesus offers is so much more than just time off work or study. It's a deep, soul-level peace that comes from knowing that my worth isn't tied to my performance, that I'm loved and valued by God not for what I do, but for who I am in Christ.

This ongoing experience is teaching me firsthand that the rest Jesus offers is something the world cannot give. It's a rest that rejuvenates not just our bodies, but our souls. And it's a rest He freely offers to all who come to Him. I'm still very much in the process of learning how to fully embrace this rest. It's a daily challenge to resist the urge to overwork, to trust that taking time for rest will actually make me more effective, not less. But I'm convinced that this is a crucial lesson not just for my own wellbeing, but for the effectiveness of my ministry and the depth of my scholarship.

This struggle with rest and overwork isn't just a personal issue - it's deeply theological. It touches on our understanding of grace, our identity in Christ, and our trust in God's provision. As I continue to study and serve, I'm finding that my personal wrestling with Sabbath rest is informing my understanding of these theological concepts in profound ways.

Now, let's shift gears slightly, and delve deeper into the biblical understanding of Sabbath rest, particularly in light of Paul's teachings in Colossians 2:16-17.

This passage has often been used to argue against the continued relevance of the Sabbath for Christians, so it's important that we understand it correctly.

Paul starts this new passage off with the word "therefore." This means the upcoming thoughts are the result of his prior statements. In earlier verses, Paul explained that our relationship with God is through Christ, not through physical rituals such as circumcision. The salvation we have, through Christ, is complete and total. Not only does it remove the penalty of sin and restore our relationship to God, it also defeats the forces of evil which come against us (Colossians 2:13–15). This verse uses those prior thoughts to refute a claim made by false teachers. These deceivers were telling Colossian Christians that they must follow specific rituals, rules, and regulations in order to be saved. In the next verse, Paul will call these concepts "a shadow of the things to come," or something much less important than Christ Himself. In contrast, Paul writes, "let no one pass judgment on you," with regard to four specific areas.

First, Paul notes dietary restrictions. The Mosaic law included many dietary aspects, such as not eating pork, an unclean food for Jews.

Second, Paul mentions holidays and feast days. Jewish laws included many specific celebrations such as Passover and the Day of Atonement, which were referred to as "festivals."

Third, a "new moon" refers to the new moon celebrations in the Mosaic law (Numbers 29:6).

Fourth, Paul mentions the Sabbath day. In Judaism, Saturday, the seventh day, was a holy day from sunset Friday till sunset Saturday, during which no work could be done (Exodus 20:8–11).

Paul clearly states, in this verse, that these kinds of rules are not requirements for saved believers. So then why is it a commandment? After all, the passage immediately before this verse explained that Christ removed all sin and penalty through His sacrifice. As a result, there are no possible works we can do, or need to do, in order to be made righteous with God. This is an idea Paul gave additional detail to in Romans chapter 14.

However, it's crucial to understand that Paul is not dismissing the moral principles behind these practices. Rather, he's emphasizing that our righteousness comes from Christ, not from our adherence to specific rituals or observances. The Sabbath, like the other practices mentioned, pointed forward to the rest we find in Christ. Now that Christ has come, we don't rely on these practices for our salvation, but we can still benefit from the wisdom behind them. This understanding aligns with what Zachary Garris and other Reformed thinkers have argued. They maintain that while the specific Jewish Sabbath observances are no longer binding on Christians, the principle of regular rest and worship continues. This is why many Christians observe Sunday as the Lord's Day, a day set apart for rest and worship in celebration of Christ's resurrection.

This understanding of Sabbath rest in Christ doesn't negate the value of regular physical rest. In fact, it enhances it. When we rest in Christ, trusting in His finished work for our salvation and worth, we're freed to truly rest physically as well. We no longer need to prove our worth through constant activity. Instead, we can embrace periods of rest as a gift from God and a reflection of our trust in Him. Moreover, this Christ-centered understanding of Sabbath rest extends beyond just one day a week. It invites us to live all of our days in the rest that Christ provides. This doesn't mean we never work, but rather that all our work is done from a place of rest in Christ, rather than striving to earn God's favor or prove our worth.

In practical terms, this might look like setting aside regular times for rest and worship, not out of legalistic obligation, but as a joyful response to the rest we've found in Christ. It might mean intentionally stepping away from work and productivity to focus on our relationship with God and others. It could involve creating rhythms of work and rest in our daily lives that reflect our trust in God's provision and our identity in Christ.

Ultimately, the goal is not just to follow a set of rules about when to work and when to rest. Rather, it's to live our entire lives in the rest that Christ provides, allowing that rest to transform how we approach both our work and our leisure. As we do this, we bear witness to the sufficiency of Christ and the freedom we have in Him. This understanding of Sabbath rest in Christ is not a burden, but a blessing. It's an invitation to step out of the rat race of constant productivity and into the peace and joy of life in Christ. It's a call to trust not in our own efforts, but in the finished work of Christ. And it's a opportunity to experience, even now, a foretaste of the eternal rest that awaits us in God's presence.

Practical Application of Sabbath Rest

So how do we apply this understanding of Sabbath rest in our lives today? Let me suggest a few practical steps, and I want to emphasize that these are suggestions, not rules. The goal isn't to create a new legalism around Sabbath-keeping, but to find rhythms of rest that allow us to more fully experience the rest Christ offers.

1. Prioritize Sunday worship. While the specific day isn't as important as the principle, gathering with other believers on Sunday to celebrate Christ's resurrection is a powerful way to orient our week around the rest we find in Him.

2. Practice daily rest in Christ. Remember, our ultimate rest is in Christ, not just a day off. Each day, take time to reflect on and rest in the finished work of Christ on your behalf.

3. Redefine "rest" through the lens of the Gospel. True rest isn't just about not working, but about trusting in Christ's work for us. Use your time of rest to meditate on the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the security of your identity in Him.

4. Deepen your understanding of grace. Use your rest time to study Scripture, particularly passages that emphasize God's grace and our rest in Christ. This isn't about earning God's favor, but about growing in your appreciation of what He's already done.

5. Prepare your heart, not just your schedule. While practical preparation is helpful, focus on preparing your heart to rest in Christ. This might involve confession, gratitude, or simply quieting your mind to focus on God's presence.

6. Practice Sabbath as a declaration of trust. By stepping away from work regularly, we declare our trust in God's provision and the sufficiency of Christ's work on our behalf.

7. Use rest as a time for spiritual renewal. Beyond just physical rest, use this time to be renewed in your mind (Romans 12:2), growing in your understanding and application of the Gospel.

8. Extend grace to yourself and others. Remember that we're saved by grace, not by perfect Sabbath-keeping. If you struggle with rest, don't condemn yourself, but use it as an opportunity to lean more fully into the rest Christ provides.

And remember, this is a practice. If you're not used to taking regular Sabbath rest, it might feel awkward or even anxiety-inducing at first. That's okay. Give yourself grace, and keep at it. Over time, you'll likely find that this rhythm of rest becomes not a burden, but a gift you look forward to each week.

Concluding Thoughts

As we wrap up, I want to emphasize again that the Sabbath command is both a grace and a gift. It's not meant to be a burden, but a blessing. God, in His wisdom and love, has built this rhythm of rest into the very fabric of creation, and He invites us to enter into it. The Sabbath reminds us that we are more than what we produce. It affirms our worth apart from our work. It creates space for us to remember who God is and who we are in relation to Him. And ultimately, it points us to the deep, soul-level rest we find in Christ. Remember, this isn't about perfectly following a set of rules. It's about entering into a rhythm of grace, a pattern of rest and renewal that God has designed for our good and His glory.

As we close, let's reflect on the words of Jesus once again:

This is the ultimate invitation to Sabbath rest. It's an invitation to lay down our burdens, to cease from our striving, and to find our rest in Christ. As we learn to practice Sabbath in our weekly rhythms, may it always point us back to this greater rest that Jesus offers.