And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.   So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:28)

People often think that Christian morality rests on blind commitment to a list of rules.  They think so because Christians will sometimes make moral arguments by quoting one or two commands from the Bible.  In this passage, our Lord Jesus Christ shows us a better way.

Someone throws a law at Him—“You can’t work on the Sabbath!”—and He responds by going back to creation: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”  The Redeemer of creation, Jesus unpacks the divine will at work in time and nature alike.  God’s purpose in hallowing the Sabbath was for people to rest in His good work, not to live in the fear of doing work.

So it always goes for Christians.  Morality is not about checking off rules to keep ourselves pure; it’s about living as God has given us to live in His Son, who leads us faithfully into creation as God intends it: pure gift, pure rest, and pure joy.  Forgiven in the blood of Christ, we are free to take up the work He gives us without fear.

LET US PRAY:  O Lord of the Sabbath, You are the rest of the weary and the crown of creation.  Fill the earth with the joy of Your salvation, and write Your law upon our hearts; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever.  Amen

Pr. Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“The stock which your right hand planted, the branch that you made strong for yourself. It’s burned with fire. It’s cut down. They perish at your rebuke.” (Psalm 80:15-16)

The great nations fall and their power is forever gone. The wicked who maim and destroy are themselves destroyed. It does come to pass as You have said. There is nothing secret that will not be revealed. Lead me, O Lord, to see in You the hope of glory and the truth that all things are always in Your hands. You are bringing all things together for good for those who love You.

Lord, I am often impatient and I want to see it come to pass before my eyes. You have given Your Word that all of us may see the truth that the nations rise and fall before You. Help me see things through Your word and simply trust, no matter the circumstance, in Your good provision. Guide me away from thinking of things from my own viewpoint to thinking on these things through the worldview of Your Word.

Lord Jesus, all things have always been in Your hands. You who have come to lead those who know You into eternal life, guide me now and always in the way that has been established from the beginning. Lift me up to see things as You would have me see them. Give me a heart that looks with love on all and desires the peace You have granted me to be given to others for the Father’s glory. Amen.