Tag: rest in Christ
The Sabbath was made for man!
Scripture reading for February 11th: Mark 2
Key Scriptures: Mark 2:27-28 “Then He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
God, Himself, rested on the seventh day of creation week. On that seventh day, He enjoyed the creation He had made and had sweet fellowship with the man and woman He had created. He gave that seventh day to the nation of Israel in a covenant through the Law that was embodied in the fourth commandment of the Ten. The Sabbath was to be a day set apart for rest and refreshment. It was a day for His people to enjoy creation and fellowship with the Creator and know His heart. There was to be no work on that day. It was a day to remember their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the awesome God who lead them out.
Jesus corrected the religious people of His time about their abuse of the Sabbath. For them it had become rules and regulations instead of rest and fellowship with the Creator! Religion makes us ‘do’ but Jesus calls us to ‘rest’!
Observations for over-comers: Overcomers rest in Christ and daily contemplate His great works. “How great are Your works, O Lord, How profound are Your thoughts.” (Psalm 92:5)(A Psalm for the Sabbath Day)
Sunday Rest and Reflection:Rest for God’s People
Dear Friends,
Jesus calls all of us His friends! We are not slaves or servants, but friends. Our Father’s plans have been revealed to us, and we have inside information that gives us great encouragement and hope! In the end, we win, and even now we can rest in the victory of the cross paid for by Jesus Christ! Today is a day of rest for God’s people! Find a family of God (church) and join God’s people in worship, prayer, and hearing His word!
In our reading of the Chronicles this past week, God delighted in showing his grace to King David and Solomon. He brought rest to the kingdom and nation He dwelt with. They enjoyed a reign of peace while Solomon built the temple. All their enemies were at peace with them during the building process. Nations sent workers to help build the temple. There was favor and good will among the people and leaders as they focused on the job at hand. People gave willingly and generously and had to be stopped from giving because so much came in!
We have such blessing in our King Jesus! He gives all His people rest each day. We live in the Sabbath rest that is ours through His atonement. We have no enemy that can snatch us from His hand. He causes everything to work for good for us who love Him. We are all co-workers in His kingdom with many of the nations who are becoming friends of God. There is unity and favor in the true body of Christ and real generosity toward the work of God. We are such a blessed people to live in the church age when Jesus is building His temple! The gates of hell will not stop it or prevail against His mighty church!
In His Love, Pastor John