Knowing When to Rest

The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Luke 23:55-56 NIV


Jesus had just died and there was work to be done in order to prepare the body and tomb. Yet, the Sabbath was also a factor. What did the ladies do? They rested.

Was their act of rest inconsiderate at best, heretical at worst?

Many of us face the same difficult decision at times. There's ministry to be done - important ministry, ministry that can make a real difference. Yet the time for rest has also come. Which do we choose? Are we falling short of showing God's love if we choose to rest? Or are we disobedient if we ignore the opportunity to rest and minister to those in need.

He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
Matthew 12:11-12 NIV

Jesus addressed this very question when the religious leaders accused Him of disobeying the law. Jesus' response indicates clearly that ministry is important regardless of what day it's done. Scripture also clearly indicates the importance of rest and the Sabbath for us.

The reality of this seeming conflict is that it's important we find a balance in ministry and rest. The Sabbath isn't restricted to any particular day of the week for Christians. For many pastors, their Sabbath is on a Monday or on a Wednesday. The rest that God wants us to enjoy is a time when we can refuel our energy needed for the imporant ministry that God wants us to do by His power for His glory.

Find a regular time to rest each and every week, and you'll have more energy to do God's work!