Radical Sabbath

“Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.”   Exodus 20:8

Exodus 20:8-11     Isaiah 40:28-31     Matthew 11:28-30     Mark 6:30-32

Rev. Todd B. Freeman

Bethany Presbyterian Church, Dallas                                 May 22, 2005

For those of you who were here last Sunday, you will remember that we celebrated the Day of Pentecost on the liturgical church calendar. The first Sunday after Pentecost on the church calendar (today) is always Trinity Sunday, and the assigned lectionary passages deal with the triune nature of God, such as those that refer to “the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” – God’s role as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.

But exercising pastoral liberty and prerogative, I just didn’t feel like preaching on the Trinity this Sunday (not that it isn’t a very important topic.) Instead, I decided the Scripture passages and sermon today would deal with a message that I (somewhat selfishly) especially wanted to preach to myself. The topic deals with being weary and finding rest. So let us first turn to a few brief biblical passages that address this issue, beginning with two from the Old Testament and then two from the Gospels.

Read:    Exodus 20:8-11     Isaiah 40:28-31     Matthew 11:28-30     Mark 6:30-32

Do you ever find yourself weary? Do you find yourself needing to rest for a while? If you’re not sure, compare yourself to the following definitions:

Weary – exhausted in strength, endurance, vigor, or freshness; having one’s patience, tolerance, or pleasure exhausted.

Rest – to cease from action or motion; to be free from anxiety or disturbance.

So let me ask you again: Are you weary? Do you need to rest for a while? I do.

I find it reassuring that throughout the Bible the scriptures acknowledge that it is human nature for people of faith to get exhausted and just plain tired out. Therefore, it has several things to say about this issue, which seems to be even more of a problem in the 21st century.

One of the Ten Commandments deals with the very human need to take a break from work and take time to rest, just as God did on the seventh day in the Creation Story in Genesis.

The prophet in the book of Isaiah acknowledges that those who found themselves in exile in Babylon were weary, so he instructed them to wait for the Lord to renew their strength. In a very popular verse and anthem here at Bethany, Isaiah 40:31 provides the following comforting words: “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

In the New Testament, Jesus extends one of the greatest invitations found in the Bible: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30)

And to his weary, overworked disciples Jesus invites them to: “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.”  (Mark 6:31) The story goes on to say that they indeed went away in a boat to a deserted place by themselves.

In reflecting upon these passages, I’ve discerned that perhaps it’s time that we all got in a boat together and sailed to some deserted place for a rest; that it’s time that we sought rest for our souls; that we take seriously the promise that if we wait for the Lord, then our tireless God will provide us with renewed strength; that it’s time we take a closer look at the issue of Sabbath-keeping and what that can mean for our lives.

Several years ago Sojourners Magazine had an article by Jewish Rabbi Arthur Waskow entitled, “Radical Shabbat: Free Time, Free People.” It is subtitled, “Honoring work and restful renewal are both aspects of responsibility.” He reflects how most Americans today have less time to raise children, share neighborhood concerns, or develop our spiritual life.

The rabbi asks, “Why is this happening?” and then answers, “Because doing, making, profiting, producing, and consuming have been elevated to idols.” The biblical concept of Sabbath is a critique of these idolatries. Contemporary religious leader Barbara Brown Taylor writes, “Sabbath is a gift, but we are so reluctant to accept it, that God had to make it a command.”

It’s not that doing, working, and making are intrinsically evil, it’s just that a society that never pauses has a hard time affirming community and family. So it is helpful to recognize that Jesus encourages the disciples to care for themselves. We are no different from those disciples when it comes to our need for rest.

The 2000 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) released a paper entitled, “An Invitation to Sabbath: Rediscovering a Gift.” See if the following excerpt doesn’t ring true for you, and perhaps for us as a congregation:

For some the need for Sabbath emerges as a cry from within. Exhausted, we yearn over the loss of time to rejoice in those closest to us, or simply to play, to rest and be still, to delight in the goodness that we believe yet surrounds us.

         Our own John Calvin, writing in the early 1500s, stated, “Work is good, but when we work all the time work becomes a curse not a blessing.” He also said, “On the Sabbath, we cease our work so God can do God’s work in us.”

That General Assembly paper added, “And so Sabbath invites us to rest and take joy in what already is, even as God rested on the seventh day and rejoiced in all the goodness of creation.”

Our denomination’s Book of Order actually provides a helpful list on how we can live out the gift of Sabbath.

• Seek rest from daily occupation
• Share with others in worship
• Take time with God’s word
• Engage in acts of compassion
• Enjoy activities that refresh and renew the spirit.

That really seems to be the key – finding refreshment and renewal.

As I have observed the leadership of this congregation (especially over the couple of years) I believe that many, including myself, are indeed weary – even to the point of exhaustion. I wish I had a simple answer for finding much-needed rest, enthusiasm, and new energy.

The constant bombardment of financial and church growth concerns are taking their toll. Realizing that something’s got to give (which may include a possible church merger, or eventual church closure) has added to the current stress and anxiety.

To these concerns I can only offer the solace and advice given in scripture:

• Observe Sabbath and keep it holy,
• Wait on the Lord for renewed strength,
• Come to the Lord all who are wear and carrying heavy burdens, and
• Come away and rest a while.

I plan on trying to practice what I preach. I’m not sure how yet, and I’m open to suggestions. Today’s picnic with Trinity and Emmanuel Presbyterian Churches sounds like a good opportunity to start. My prayer for you, for us, and for myself is that we all find and experience refreshment and renewal.

I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that the quality of our life and ministry depends upon it.

Amen.