When Jesus declared that he would give all who came to him rest,
He wasn’t just offering a day off. He was inviting us into an entirely new way of living. The Sabbath, which had always been a sign of God’s sovereignty, provision, and power, was fulfilled in Him. This doesn’t mean that resting on one day isn't important—but that that isn't the heart of it. It’s about trusting in Christ every day, living in the reality of what He has accomplished, and walking in the peace that comes from knowing that our worth, our security, and our future are not dependent on our own striving.
For many of us today, the practical idea of Sabbath can feel outdated, unnecessary, or even impossible.
We live in a world that constantly demands more—more work, more productivity, more success. Rest is often seen as a luxury, something we have to earn rather than something we receive. But if Jesus has truly fulfilled the Sabbath, then that should radically change how we view rest and work. Instead of seeing rest as something we have to fight for, we can see it as something God has already provided in Christ. We don’t have to constantly prove ourselves, scramble for security, or push ourselves to exhaustion. Jesus has done the work that truly matters—securing our salvation and our place in God’s kingdom—so we are free to rest in Him.
We can also understand that in God's redemption of the world, He is restoring work and rest so that they aren't opposed to each other, for they were never meant to be! While it is true that we still live in a world marked by sin and brokenness, we can be a part of God's redemption plan by participating in purposeful, God-honoring work.
But how do we actually practice all this? If Jesus is our Sabbath, does that mean we no longer set aside time for rest?
Not at all. Instead, it means that Sabbath is no longer about following a set of legalistic rules—it’s about living in a rhythm of trust, where we regularly stop, remember, and rejoice in what God has done.
One of the most practical ways to do this is by intentionally setting aside time to rest, not just as an escape from work, but as an act of faith.
This might look like taking a day each week where you unplug from your usual busyness and intentionally focus on worship, scripture, and the people God has placed in your life. It’s about shifting from a mindset of scarcity—where we feel like we never have enough time—to a mindset of trust, where we acknowledge that God is the one who sustains us.
Beyond just taking time off, practicing Sabbath in light of Jesus’ fulfillment also means reevaluating how we approach work itself. If we truly believe that God is our provider, then we don’t have to live in a state of anxiety about our jobs, our finances, or our future.
Rather we can view work as a blessing, a way that God invites us to take part in the wonderful work of redemption that He is doing in this world! This causes us to work with a different posture. We work diligently but without fear, knowing that our identity isn’t found in what we produce. We create and produce with joy, knowing that purposeful work is one of the incredible gifts that God has uniquely blessed humans with, unlike all animals! We release control, recognizing that God is the one who ultimately holds our lives together.
Living in the sabbath means resisting the cultural pressure to always be available, always be productive, and always be striving for more.
It means prioritizing time with God, not as an obligation, but as the source of our strength. It means resting in the truth that we don’t have to earn God’s love or prove our worth—He has already called us His own.
Finally, Jesus’ fulfillment of the Sabbath reminds us to live in recognition of God's absolute sovereignty. True Sabbath isn’t just about taking a break; it’s about stepping into the life God intended for us. When we stop trying to be in control, we make room for God to work in ways we never could. This might look like choosing stillness over constant activity, listening for His voice instead of drowning in noise, or making space for relationships instead of being consumed by our own agendas. It means choosing what He commands over what we desire.
The sabbath is about living with a deep confidence that God is in control, and surrendering your will to him even when life feels uncertain.
Even though we no longer observe the Sabbath in the same way ancient Israel did, it still serves as a powerful sign. In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was a way Israel stood out—it showed that they trusted in a God who provided, rather than relying solely on their own work. Today, choosing to rest when the world never stops is still a radical statement.
When we practice Sabbath, we declare:
God is the one in control, and we release our desire for control to Him.
God has ultimate power, and we surrender to Him.
God will provide for us, and we trust and expect from Him.
In a world of constant motion, the Sabbath is a way to show that our hope is not in ourselves, but in the One who gives true rest.
