Friday 5 October 2018

Sabbath - Divine Gift to Humanity

Over the past couple of weeks we have been considering Sabbath, particularly in the context of rest or simply taking time out.  We thought about how we might consider our time and where we regularly lose it, and how we might put that time to better use.  I fully admit that this is easier said than done.  But I believe if we truly want to make a difference in our secular world, if we are to live gospel lives we need to embrace parts of our faith we readily ignore.  But like we looked at just a few weeks ago, knowledge without experience is lacking substance.

So let’s dig a bit deeper into Sabbath, and ponder how we might embrace this part of our faith (with thanks to Life:Balance by R Warren and S Mayfield).

Sabbath is about stillness.  The word ‘Sabbath’ comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat which means to pause, to cease and to be still.  It is an opportunity to get off the treadmill and reflect on our values and priorities.  Remember, if you don’t set your priorities, others will do it for you.  Sabbath gives us an opportunity to see where others have set them, and how far they have taken us from God, or faith, or integrity.

Sabbath is about rhythm, based as we heard last week from Deuteronomy, on the fact that God created the world in 6 days and on the 7th day he rested.  Whether you are building in Sabbath moments into each day, and into the week, indeed into the seasons of the year, rhythm brings structure and stability.

Sabbath is a gift, as we mentioned in the all-age message.  It is not intended as a burden.  We don’t so much practise Sabbath as receive it.

Sabbath is about refreshment – it isn’t just about doing no work, although that is important.  It is about restoration, creativity and play, things we often miss out on or feel guilty about.  Crashing in front of the television at the end of a busy day isn’t Sabbath rest.  Watching a programme that draws you in, and involves you is different.  What actually restores you?

Sabbath is about freedom – about liberation, wholeness and well-being.  We all know this from the mindfulness movement, or the ‘me-time’ movement or even new age or hippy type movements.  Schools now put a lot of focus on health and well-being, and studies are being done into resilience and well-being amongst ministers.

Sabbath is holy – like I keep saying, if it is good enough for God, it has to be good enough for us.

Both of our readings today pick up important aspects to the Sabbath.  In Nehemiah, we find that he has done a ton of work helping to rebuild Jerusalem.  He is a busy man, a righteous man, who has faced down bullies and saboteurs.  Now he deals with those who would break the Sabbath through work and trade.  I can believe that Nehemiah would have been heartbroken at our Sunday trading laws.  Nehemiah knew that the Sabbath was holy and therefore was to honour God.  He also knew that it was good for the people.  It is easy to slip into bad habits, especially when they look ok.  It was convenient to have trade all week long, and of course, for the traders with fresh stock they want it sold.  But what happens to the gift of the Sabbath?  And what happens to worship, restoration, freedom when others things crowd in?


Isaiah 58 puts it like this:
“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
    and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
    and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
    and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
then you will find your joy in the Lord.

Nehemiah recognised this, but primarily in how the Sabbath keeps us centred on God.  The Sabbath reminded the Israelites that all things come from God – that he is the source of life and salvation, that life is a gift to be treasured and enjoyed.  Jesus reminds us of this in the other passage that we heard today.

He challenged the Pharisees’ hollow, hair splitting observance of the rules of the Sabbath, restoring the person-centredness and well-being that are at the heart of the true Sabbath keeping.  In Christ’s time there were 1,521 things that you were banned from doing on the Sabbath – including rescuing a drowning man.  For Nehemiah, it was closing the gates and stopping trade and work for people and animals alike.  For Jesus, he had to go further and remind the Jews that the Sabbath was a benefit for humankind, and an opportunity to bless and enrich others.

As you consider the Sabbath, what comes to mind for you?  Is it wasted time or well used time?  Do you praise someone for having time off or do you make a cheeky or derogatory comment?  Do you find yourself too exhausted to even enjoy a day off?  As you look at your own life, how might you incorporate some Sabbath rhythms – restoring mind, body and soul?  As you look at how you interact in the lives of others, how might you enable them to take Sabbath time?  And how might you help build rhythms of Sabbath rest into the life of the church, the community and the home?

Consider Sabbath days – a whole day to sabbath activities of resting, enjoying, receiving, sharing and celebrating.

Consider Sabbath moments – opportunities to be still, to receive, to appreciate, simply to enjoy.  Could you bring them into meetings at work?  Moments just to be still.

Consider Sabbath attitudes – sabbath moments bring about attitudes of thanksgiving to God, appreciation of others and the enjoyment of life, love and everything around us.

Consider Sabbath seasons – maybe 40 days in the wilderness is a bit much but extended resting, stopping, waiting, periods such as holidays, sabbaticals, between jobs, career breaks challenge us to enjoy what is for a season.

However we do it, practising and exploring Sabbath will have a profound effect on our well being, our spirituality and our approach to life.  I can guarantee that.

How might the Sabbath change your life?  Might you live more joyfully in yourself, in your relationships and in your calling.  And dare I suggest others might live more joyfully around you too…not just from your well-being, but through the modelling of Sabbath you bring to others.

How might Sabbath principles change the world?

To God be the glory now and forevermore.  Amen.