Good work Kyle. It seems that Jesus was trying to get the message across to the religious leaders what the intention of His work and message. The religious leaders seemed to be spiritually blinded and focused on rules rather than a relationship.
The pressure to perform and gain approval in ministry is a common struggle, yet Scripture consistently redirects our focus to God's sufficiency rather than our efforts.
Jesus invites us to rest in His work rather than striving for religious perfection: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28-30). We lean on Christ rather than exhausting ourselves with religious' musts.'
Additionally, Psalm 127:1 warns, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." This directly addresses trusting in God's orchestration rather than personal ambition. God's sovereignty assures us that our role is to be faithful, not flawless. In a sense, we are flawless because we are "in Christ." The salvation we are to work out is the learning by the Holy Spirit's mentorship to express His fruit, not our own. We are to be Holy as God is Holy. We express His holiness, not our self-righteous counterfeit of God's holiness. For me, that takes the pressure off me having to perform. I rest in what Jesus said as well. Take my Yoke...my burden is light...I will give you rest. To me, that is God's idea of "Sabbath".
Thanks for the comments, love your perspective. Thanks for sharing the verses also. Sounds like you have some seasoned experience others can learn from. Thanks George.
The Sabbath that He gave at Creation, was one of two relationship institutions that He gave humanity at Creation. The second institution is the marriage of one man to one woman.
When sin entered, Satan made these two sacred institutions the focal point of his attack. When the Jews returned from Babylonian captivity they had been cured from worshipping idols. It was at this time that Satan led the leaders of Israel to add man made regulations to each commandment in order to teach the people how to obey God's requirements.
As we know, salvation is a free gift of His grace that we accept by faith...not a faith that we can establish...rather a faith that He gives us. The Jews were attempting to be saved by their works...by being obedient to their man-made regulations.
A loving obedience is the fruit of salvation and not the route to salvation.
The Sabbath experience cannot be explained...it is like trying to explain the taste of water...you can't...one has to drink water to taste it. However, the Sabbath experience can be illustrated by comparing it to marriage.
Suppose a young man meets a young lady who has six identical sisters. Insofar as the five senses are concerned the seven sisters are identical...they laugh the same, smile the same, their mannerisms are all the same... everything about these seven sisters is the same to our five senses.
After a courtship they fall in love and get married. Following the wedding reception the groom says to his newly acquired brother-in-law, "Go and get me your sister...I am ready for the honeymoon." His brother-in-law replies, "Which one should I bring to you...they are all just alike." "You're right," says the groom, "just pick one and bring her to me!"
Now we know that is not the case! The groom has a special bond and relationship with just one of the seven sisters ..a bond and relationship that is undetectable by our five senses.
It is the same with the seven days of the week. To our five senses each day is identical. However, at Creation God set the seventh day apart from the six days of Creation...He blessed and sanctified the seventh day with a divine awareness of His presence that is not in the other six days of the week...He invites us to lay aside our worldly cares and distractions on the seventh day and spend that time with Him.
He knew that Satan would lead humanity to disregard what He gave to humanity as a memorial in time that is a weekly reminder of His creative power...the same power that He can use to change us ... if we are willing to be changed...and ask Him to change us.
The Sabbath commandment is the only commandment that begins with "Remember" and continues for four verses and not just eight subjective words. It is also the only commandment that identifies the Law Giver by name, title, and territory...the three components of a legal seal.
Good work Kyle. It seems that Jesus was trying to get the message across to the religious leaders what the intention of His work and message. The religious leaders seemed to be spiritually blinded and focused on rules rather than a relationship.
Resting in Sovereignty Rather than Performance
I agree with your article.
The pressure to perform and gain approval in ministry is a common struggle, yet Scripture consistently redirects our focus to God's sufficiency rather than our efforts.
Jesus invites us to rest in His work rather than striving for religious perfection: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28-30). We lean on Christ rather than exhausting ourselves with religious' musts.'
Additionally, Psalm 127:1 warns, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." This directly addresses trusting in God's orchestration rather than personal ambition. God's sovereignty assures us that our role is to be faithful, not flawless. In a sense, we are flawless because we are "in Christ." The salvation we are to work out is the learning by the Holy Spirit's mentorship to express His fruit, not our own. We are to be Holy as God is Holy. We express His holiness, not our self-righteous counterfeit of God's holiness. For me, that takes the pressure off me having to perform. I rest in what Jesus said as well. Take my Yoke...my burden is light...I will give you rest. To me, that is God's idea of "Sabbath".
Thanks for the comments, love your perspective. Thanks for sharing the verses also. Sounds like you have some seasoned experience others can learn from. Thanks George.
Yes, he holds every day in his hands, freeing us from the anxiety that hovers over us…thanks for these words of encouragement!
Loved this! Thank you, Kyle!
Well stated.
The Sabbath that He gave at Creation, was one of two relationship institutions that He gave humanity at Creation. The second institution is the marriage of one man to one woman.
When sin entered, Satan made these two sacred institutions the focal point of his attack. When the Jews returned from Babylonian captivity they had been cured from worshipping idols. It was at this time that Satan led the leaders of Israel to add man made regulations to each commandment in order to teach the people how to obey God's requirements.
As we know, salvation is a free gift of His grace that we accept by faith...not a faith that we can establish...rather a faith that He gives us. The Jews were attempting to be saved by their works...by being obedient to their man-made regulations.
A loving obedience is the fruit of salvation and not the route to salvation.
The Sabbath experience cannot be explained...it is like trying to explain the taste of water...you can't...one has to drink water to taste it. However, the Sabbath experience can be illustrated by comparing it to marriage.
Suppose a young man meets a young lady who has six identical sisters. Insofar as the five senses are concerned the seven sisters are identical...they laugh the same, smile the same, their mannerisms are all the same... everything about these seven sisters is the same to our five senses.
After a courtship they fall in love and get married. Following the wedding reception the groom says to his newly acquired brother-in-law, "Go and get me your sister...I am ready for the honeymoon." His brother-in-law replies, "Which one should I bring to you...they are all just alike." "You're right," says the groom, "just pick one and bring her to me!"
Now we know that is not the case! The groom has a special bond and relationship with just one of the seven sisters ..a bond and relationship that is undetectable by our five senses.
It is the same with the seven days of the week. To our five senses each day is identical. However, at Creation God set the seventh day apart from the six days of Creation...He blessed and sanctified the seventh day with a divine awareness of His presence that is not in the other six days of the week...He invites us to lay aside our worldly cares and distractions on the seventh day and spend that time with Him.
He knew that Satan would lead humanity to disregard what He gave to humanity as a memorial in time that is a weekly reminder of His creative power...the same power that He can use to change us ... if we are willing to be changed...and ask Him to change us.
The Sabbath commandment is the only commandment that begins with "Remember" and continues for four verses and not just eight subjective words. It is also the only commandment that identifies the Law Giver by name, title, and territory...the three components of a legal seal.
Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8
Thanks Gerald. Love your comments and perspective. Well done as well.