Rest

## The Law

In today's culture, it's becoming more difficult to take a moment of rest, let alone a day of rest. When God gave Moses the tablets on which He had written the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-21), it wasn't meant to be the way to become right with God. The Law was presented like a mirror to help us see the imperfections compared to a holy God, and that we need help obeying these rules. This is why sacrifices had to be offered continually to keep us in right relationship with the Creator (see Romans 6-8; Galatians 2:1521, 3:1-29, 5:1-26). To add further clarity, if we go to Romans 2:1415, we find that the Law was written on the hearts of mankind, “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them”. Nevertheless, Jesus tells us that the Law can be summed up in two commands, "And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40) And if we add to the fact that everyone is born with a sinful nature attached due to Adam's sin (Genesis 3:1-24), then we get a strong picture. Man is born with a sinful state, but also with an inborn knowledge of God's Law (to love Him and others).

## Remember to Rest

One of the commands written down is "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God" (Exodus 20:8-10a). It is the only command that begins with the word “remember”, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence. There’s a reason why God said for us to remember this day. It’s easy to forget because we get so busy. I'm not here to argue or make a case about if this means a complete absence of work on a day or if it matters which day because I think we can get lost in defending ideas and missing the importance of what it's saying. Jesus died on the cross. The Son's work is complete. In the grave, while Luke doesn't mention the day, He rested on the Sabbath day (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1). Jesus remained obedient through death in keeping the Sabbath.

## Self-Check

While we may rest physically on a day during the week to reenergize ourselves, the next day could be the day of salvation for someone based on our 'work' or witness. The tomb was and still is empty. Who can you be a witness to with your words and life, so they may be brought from darkness into light?

## Hope Is Found