Peace – Comfort
“Read what Jesus did during the last Sabbath of his life…. Looks like Jesus was quiet that day.
“Wait a minute. That’s it?” That’s it.
“You mean with one week left to live. Jesus observed the Sabbath?” As far as we can tell.
You mean with all those apostles to train and people to teach, he took a day to rest and worship?” Apparently so.
“You’re telling me that Jesus thought worship was more important than work?” That’s exactly what I’m telling you.
For such is the purpose of the Sabbath. And such was the practice of Jesus. “On the Sabbath day he went to the synagogue, as he always did, and stood up to read.” Should we do any less?
If Jesus found time in the midst of a racing agenda to stop the rush and sit in the silence, do you think we could, too?
Ahh, I know what you’re thinking. I can see it in your face. There you are. Looking at me from my monitor with dubious eyes and furrowed brows. “But, Max, Sunday is the only day I have to get caught up at the office.” Or, “Good Idea, Max, but have you heard our preacher? He provides the rest all right – I fall asleep! But the worship? Or, “That’s easy for you to say, Max. You’re a preacher. If you were a housewife like me and had four kids like mine … “It’s not easy to slow down.
It’s almost as if activity is a sign of maturity. After all, isn’t there a beatitude which reads, “Blessed are the busy?” No, there isn’t. But there is a verse which summarizes many lives; “Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.”
Does that sound like your life? Are you so seldom in one place that your friends regard you as a phantom? Are you so constantly on the move that your family is beginning to question your existence? Do you take pride in your frenzy at the expense of your faith?
Are [these] words yours"? “I don’t remember how to stop.” If so, you are headed for a crash.
Slow down. If God commanded it, you need it. If Jesus modeled it, you need it. Go still provides the manna. Trust him. Take a day to say no to work and yes to worship.
(From And the Angels Were Silent by Max Lucado)
“Read what Jesus did during the last Sabbath of his life…. Looks like Jesus was quiet that day.
“Wait a minute. That’s it?” That’s it.
“You mean with one week left to live. Jesus observed the Sabbath?” As far as we can tell.
You mean with all those apostles to train and people to teach, he took a day to rest and worship?” Apparently so.
“You’re telling me that Jesus thought worship was more important than work?” That’s exactly what I’m telling you.
For such is the purpose of the Sabbath. And such was the practice of Jesus. “On the Sabbath day he went to the synagogue, as he always did, and stood up to read.” Should we do any less?
If Jesus found time in the midst of a racing agenda to stop the rush and sit in the silence, do you think we could, too?
Ahh, I know what you’re thinking. I can see it in your face. There you are. Looking at me from my monitor with dubious eyes and furrowed brows. “But, Max, Sunday is the only day I have to get caught up at the office.” Or, “Good Idea, Max, but have you heard our preacher? He provides the rest all right – I fall asleep! But the worship? Or, “That’s easy for you to say, Max. You’re a preacher. If you were a housewife like me and had four kids like mine … “It’s not easy to slow down.
It’s almost as if activity is a sign of maturity. After all, isn’t there a beatitude which reads, “Blessed are the busy?” No, there isn’t. But there is a verse which summarizes many lives; “Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.”
Does that sound like your life? Are you so seldom in one place that your friends regard you as a phantom? Are you so constantly on the move that your family is beginning to question your existence? Do you take pride in your frenzy at the expense of your faith?
Are [these] words yours"? “I don’t remember how to stop.” If so, you are headed for a crash.
Slow down. If God commanded it, you need it. If Jesus modeled it, you need it. Go still provides the manna. Trust him. Take a day to say no to work and yes to worship.
(From And the Angels Were Silent by Max Lucado)