“And they returned and prepared spices and perfumes, and on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.”
What is my relationship with the Sabbath day—or for the average Christian today?
I grew up going to church and never really thought twice about the Sabbath. If it crossed my mind at all, it was either dismissed as trivial or boiled down to “going to church, check; commandment fulfilled.” The bible says, God rested on the seventh day—and not just as a pause in creation, not as a task to complete, but an invitation for us. His rest is meant to dwell in us as we dwell in Him.” Not only does his rest dwell in us, but God rests in us. That is an awesome thought.
Sabbath is not simply about rules —it’s relational and spiritual. I may not have had much of a relationship with the sabbath, mainstream christianity might not emphasis it much, but for first-century Jews, the Sabbath was far from absolutely essential. the Sabbath was never just a building, a checklist, or a service. It was a 24-hour period of rest, a covenant, a sign of God’s perpetual promises, and a holy ordinance. It reminded the Jewish people who they were and who God was. The seventh day was also God’s Sabbath—the very first thing in Scripture called holy—and it was a maker the fourth commandment, a marker of covenantal identity, of freedom and holiness. Debates about the Sabbath often put Jesus at odds with religious leaders, proving its centrality in Jewish life. No matter what , the Sabbath commanded attention as we see in this passage. which is why they didn’t sideline the Sabbath when they were in crisis they leaned into it.
Rest in the Midst of Tragedy
Mary and the other women had just watched their Rabbi, teacher, and hoped-for Messiah be arrested, tried, beaten, humiliated, nailed to a cross, and breathe his last human breath. His flesh had failed, his body stained with blood and dust and tears and they watched it all.
What died with him? Hope, joy, friendship, expectations? They were tired, discouraged, perhaps traumatized. Their close-knit group was unraveling: Judas betrayed Jesus, Peter denied him, the other disciples fled.
Yet…
On the Sabbath, they rested according to the commandment.
This reminds me of Jesus sleeping on the boat in the middle of the storm. All around, the world was crashing down, the boat rocking uncontrollably the disciples were frightened thunder and waves engulfed them, yet Jesus slept peacefully in the boat. This is the picture of the disciples and the women resting after Jesus was murdered, They stopped and rested. The Savior of the world had just died, and they rested.
Sabbath Rest Today
Rarely do I see Christians rest on the Sabbath, not even on a peaceful day never mind on a tragic day. Our relationship with sabbath is similar to that of mine growing up. Many of us run errands, work a few hours, go grocery shopping, clean, or hit the gym. so we do not stop even for an average day, when things are good how much more unlikely would we be to stop if on a Friday night your best friend is unjustly arrested, beaten and executed in the street. Would you think of resting, honoring God’s command? Most wouldn’t. Yet Mary and the other disciples and most of the Jewish people that day did.
Why did the Sabbath take prominence seemingly even over the death of the Messiah? And why does it seem so overlooked in the lives of Jesus’ people today when the people closest to Jesus Christ modeled such a faithful devotion to it?
My Faith Place 