Sabbath

DAILY READING

Luke 19:28-40  

Social scientists say that we make up our minds about someone in the first 100 milliseconds of our first meeting. First impressions matter, and can you imagine being Adam or Eve? Your first impression of God and the world God has just created was that rest was not an afterthought, rather it was of the first importance. Today we remember Holy Saturday, a day that was full of pain, agony, fear, and waiting. A day when many were hoping and praying God would never leave them or forsake them. Easter includes a day of rest, a special Sabbath we often forget about. We quickly want to jump from Good Friday to Easter Sunday, forgetting the importance of Saturday in between.  

Jesus rested in the dark tomb on Holy Saturday after finishing his life on earth and suffering as the perfect man and the Son of God. It leads to the glory of Easter Sunday in which his victory over death is revealed. It’s a full circle moment from the beginning of creation to the new creation by Jesus’s death and resurrection. Through this overwhelming and deep understanding of suffering and perseverance, we can fully understand God’s gift of Sabbath.  

As the old Jewish saying goes: we do not keep Sabbath, Sabbath keeps us. Sabbath is not a list of dos and don’ts; rather, it establishes our identity as Christians and our mission to care for God’s creation. 

ACTION FOR THE DAY

Sabbath creates space for rest and play in our lives, so on this Holy Saturday spend some time away from things that distract you. Let yourself play outside once again; set your electronics down and pull out some paints, your fishing poles or your camera. Give yourself time today to enjoy and delight in the goodness of Sabbath. 

WRITE FOR THE FIELD GUIDE

Are you inspired by the Daily Field Guide devotions each week? You can inspire others in the congregation with your reflections on God’s word by becoming a Field Guide author! Contact Jason Alteri at jalteri@bumc.net to learn more.