September 24, 2023: Jesus, Our Sabbath Rest

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Mt 11:28)

The word 'rest' means to cause to rest, to cause to cease from labor.  If your mind keeps working when you stop, you are not at rest. If your spouse or friend says, "Are you okay? You seem like you are in another world." You are not resting. That is called stress, and stress is a silent killer. It is killing you, your relationships, and your relationship with God.

Your only cure is to abide in Christ. Jesus is our Sabbath Rest, and we must learn to abide in Him. Abide means to stay put, persevere, remain, and be steadfast. Whoever abides bears fruit! This sounds like God blessing the seventh day. To bless means to be successful, prosper, have a long life, and be fruitful. Whoever abides bears fruit! If I am abiding well, I will rest while working, parenting, leading, being married, and carrying out life responsibilities.

Paul and Silas did this well. While in a Philippian jail, their backs were bleeding and they were in chains. Paul, resting amid pain, said, "Let's sing!" As they sang, the earth shook, the prison doors opened, and the jailer and his family were all born again. It sounds like a blessed event! Paul was resting in Jesus—his Sabbath rest. Paul had ceased his labor and was enjoying God. Is Jesus your Sabbath rest? Are you abiding in Him?