Sundays of Hope and Joy
As our Lenten journey enters its final days, we see the city of Jerusalem in the distance and we know what is coming soon. Like Peter, we may feel the impulse to avoid what lies ahead (Matthew 16:22), but we know it can’t be avoided. Jesus is resolute. He invites us to be the same.
But before we continue our journey, today is Sunday, another “mini-Easter” break in our 40 day fast of meditation, repentance, and remembrance. On Sundays we are reminded that the journey to the cross does not end at the cross, and we rejoice in that truth with all that we are.
On Sundays, as is appropriate and biblical, we are also invited to cease our laboring. It is a “Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9), a time of refreshing in the presence of the one who loves us most. But we don’t always enter into that rest, if we’re honest. We may find it hard to embrace at any time of year, but perhaps it’s even a bit harder during Lent. Our desire to be resolute and committed can be hard to switch off and put aside. In fact, if we’re not careful, Sabbath-keeping can become the very last thing it was meant to be: a burden.
Writer and teacher K.C. Ireton defines Sabbath this way:
“Sabbath is margin and gift and joy. Sabbath is soaking myself—or rather, letting myself be soaked—in the unmerited, unmeritable grace of God.”
Margin. Gift. Joy. Letting ourselves be soaked in the unmerited, unmeritable grace of God. These are good truths to embrace during Lent, one which, if we let it sink in deep, will impact our experience of Sabbath at any season of the calendar.
Today, wherever you may find yourself, you are invited to let it resonate deep in your soul. Embrace the Sabbath rest to which God calls you. Hear spoken to you the same invitation Jesus gave to his disciples:
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”—Mark 6:31 (NIV
Margin…gift…joy.
I came to Jesus as I was,
So weary, worn and sad;
I found in Him my resting place,
And He has made me glad.
Read the rest of the lyrics here.
There are three versions below of today’s song. The first is an acoustic folk version set to a new tune. The second is a traditional hymn arrangement sung by a choir. The third is an acoustic instrumental version.
Questions for Reflection
1) How are you at receiving the gift of rest on the Sabbath? Do you find that rhythm easy or difficult? How might God be inviting you to enter it in a new way this Lenten season and beyond?
2) Theologian Marva Dawn names four practices that help us “reclaim” the Sabbath. Spend some time meditating on which have already been meaningful for you, and which you might find ways to incoporate into your Sabbath-keeping.
Ceasing
Resting
Embracing
Feasting3) Read and reflect on these verses. Let them lead you into prayerful worship and gratitude:
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”—Hebrews 4:9-10 (NIV)