Forty Day Journey to the Cross: Sabbath of Rest

By Paul Arndt Forty Day, Person and Work of Jesus

Sabbath of Rest

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

Rest.

It’s a precious gift and yet it’s so rarely opened. Busyness and business have pushed the gift off to the side. In order to open the gift, one has to slow down, stop, sit still and give up control.

Sabbath calls us to cease in order that we might receive. See this Sabbath rest as a divine exchange. On this day, (especially when you attend the Divine Service of His Church), Christ desires to take something away from you as well as give you something in return. He wants to exchange your works for His. 

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 
and provide for those who grieve in Zion —  to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”  (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV)

 

Reflection

During the first four days of your journey, how has Christ given you rest?

 

How is Christ asking you to cease and receive?

 

What divine exchange does Christ want to work in you?