Redeeming Rest 4: Sabbath As Resistance

Redeeming Rest: Embracing the Gift of Sabbath

“Sabbath As Resistance: Cultivating Counter-Cultural Rest”

Mark 6:30-32                       (New Revised Standard Version)

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.

Recognizing the Need for Rest

Jesus acknowledges the importance of taking a break, of stepping away from the demands and finding solitude.

Taking breaks and finding rest doesn’t mean we are being lazy or unproductive. It means we are preparing ourselves to be more effective in the long run.

Jesus calls us to recognize our need for rest and to be intentional about seeking it. Resting is like sharpening our ax—it makes us more effective in everything we do.

Sabbath As Resistance 

In our society, taking time to rest can feel like an act of defiance. We live in a culture that values productivity, efficiency, and constant activity.

Sabbath invites us to resist these cultural pressures. It calls us to step back, to trust that the world will keep turning even if we take a break.

By observing Sabbath, we declare that our worth is not defined by our productivity.

It is countercultural to rest in a society that glorifies busyness, but it is also profoundly powerful.

Cultivating a Rhythm of Rest

Jesus not only invites His disciples to rest but models a rhythm of rest throughout His ministry.

He often withdrew to solitary places to pray and recharge, demonstrating that rest is essential for a life of faithful service.

Cultivating a rhythm of rest involves creating habits and practices that sustain us.

Sabbath is not just about taking a day off; it’s about creating a lifestyle that honors God’s design for rest and renewal.

True rest is found not in the absence of activity, but in the presence of God.