Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about Sabbath. In Jewish tradition, the Sabbath is a day of rest and refraining from work, kept on the seventh day of the week in remembrance of God resting on the seventh day of creation. The Ten Commandments, and indeed, many places in the Torah, call the people to observe the Sabbath, setting the day apart as holy for worship and for renewal. Some Christian traditions (for instance, Eastern Orthodox traditions) maintain the seventh day (Saturday) as the day of rest, but many others (including Lutherans) have adopted Sunday as their day for worship and rest.
Observing Sabbath is not just a command; it is a gift. Human beings need rest, and not just our bodies. Our minds and our spirits need time to rest and recover as well. We were not built for white-knuckling our way through life with no time outs. Setting aside time for rest, for play, for prayer is essential to being a healthy human being.
Observing Sabbath is also more than just a matter or ritual or religion; it is a matter of justice. Jesus healed on the Sabbath because the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed, and the suffering are not able to rest because they cannot step away from the burden they are carrying. The command to observe the Sabbath is an imperative for us to make Sabbath possible for those who cannot otherwise rest. What is a blessing to some should not be denied to others.
We live in a hectic world, and it is all too easy to ignore the call to Sabbath. It is all too easy to trick ourselves into thinking that if we can just get that one more thing finished, then we can rest. It is all too easy to buy into Hustle Culture that promises to honor our efforts with a reward that is always just out of reach. But Jesus gently calls us back to Sabbath. It is not a retreat from responsibility, but a chance to be renewed so that we can continue to labor for the Kin-dom of God.
We live in a busy world, and there is so very much work to do. May you take Sabbath seriously, Beloved. May you lay your busyness down at the feet of the One who provides rest for weary bodies, souls, hearts, and minds. May you remember those around you for whom rest is elusive, that you might help make the gift of Sabbath a reality for them as well. And in both you work and your rest, may you know the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Will Starkweather
Last modified: September 22, 2025