Good Morning Friends,
The seven‑day rhythm of our week is remarkable. It isn’t dictated precisely by the sun or moon, yet it has shaped human life for millennia. For believers, this rhythm invites us to consider the Sabbath—Shabbat—through the grace of Jesus. Yes, it connects to the fourth commandment, but Scripture shows there is more. Some see the Sabbath rooted in creation itself; others see it shaped through culture and worship. Perhaps it is both. So, Are You Living Your Life in the Rhythms of God?
Scripture: Exodus 20:8–11; 1 Samuel 17:32–51; Mark 3:1–6; Colossians 2:16–17
Message: Mark tells us Jesus felt both anger and grief. He was angry at the hardness of heart that kept a suffering person from being helped. But he was also grieved—deeply saddened that his own people had missed God’s heart. The law was meant to protect and teach us to love God and neighbor, yet the Pharisees had twisted it into something burdensome. Jesus’ grief reveals something important: God is angered by sin, but grieved when we miss the point of grace. Jesus did not want to condemn the Pharisees; he wanted them to love. The same is true for us. How we understand and practice Sabbath reveals the health of our relationship with God.
And So, Jesus continued to heal on the Sabbath—seven times in the Gospels. Each miracle was a declaration that God’s Kingdom is about mercy, not rule‑keeping. Instead of celebrating the healing of the broken, the religious leaders condemned Jesus for “working.” But Jesus was showing that faith is not about rigid laws; it is about trusting the Son of God and receiving the grace he brings. What is clear is that Jesus challenges the way people understand the Sabbath. Like David facing Goliath, Jesus confronts a deeply ingrained system. The Pharisees kept the law with unmatched devotion, yet in their zeal they lost sight of love. They created extra rules to prove their seriousness, but those rules overshadowed compassion. When Jesus healed on the Sabbath, they were furious—not because someone was helped, but because their system was threatened. They missed the purpose of the Sabbath entirely.
Pray that we rest in the victory God has already won.Pray that we remember the ceremonial laws were fulfilled in Christ, yet still point us to him. Pray that we enjoy the Sabbath as a gift, not a burden. Pray that our rest in Jesus leads us to love others. Pray that weekly worship strengthens us, and that every day becomes holy. Pray that we always choose to do good. Pray that Jesus becomes our true Sabbath rest. Pray that we see the law as a foreshadowing of Christ and Scripture as a testimony to him. Pray that our relationship with God is never replaced by mere rule‑keeping. Pray that we draw near to our Creator and honor Jesus out of love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 