A day to rest
And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. ~ Mark 2:27
The Sabbath is not something you hear much about these days, especially when it comes to intentionally setting aside a day for rest. From the beginning of creation, God established a rhythm that included rest. After creating the world, He set apart a day for people to stop from work. Rest was woven into human design from the very start. Even before sin entered the world, humanity needed rest. How much more, living in a fallen and fast paced world, does your body and soul need it today?
More than a thousand years later, when Moses received the Ten Commandments, the fourth commandment was to remember the Sabbath. This practice distinguished Israel from other nations. When surrounding cultures saw that the Hebrew people did not conduct business one day each week, it became a testimony that this day was set apart to honor their God. Scripture such as Ezekiel 20 shows how significant this was in their covenant relationship. When they drifted from God, idolatry replaced God’s commands, and they eventually experienced captivity. That is how vital this practice was to their spiritual and their physical health.
Today, many believers overlook the importance of taking a regular day of rest. Some view the Sabbath only as part of the Old Testament law that Jesus fulfilled when He died on the cross. However, a day of rest was established before the law was ever given. It was not merely a rule to control behavior, it was a gift from your heavenly Father designed for the health and well-being of your body, mind, and spirit.
In Mark 2, Jesus reminded the religious leaders that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. He addressed their rigid interpretation and emphasized that the law was meant to bring life, not burden. He pointed to provisions made in times of necessity and demonstrated through healing that doing good on the Sabbath is always right. The heart behind the Sabbath is restoration, mercy, and renewal.
Here is how you can apply this passage to your life personally:
- Choose one consistent day each week to step away from regular work responsibilities. Mark it on your calendar and treat it as an appointment you keep.
- Prepare in advance. Finish key tasks the day before so your mind is not preoccupied with unfinished work. Planning ahead protects your rest.
- Limit digital distractions. Turn off notifications, step away from email, and reduce social media so your mind can slow down.
- Spend intentional time with God through unhurried prayer and Scripture reading. Let this day feel different from the rest of the week.
- Do life giving activities. Take a walk, enjoy a meal with family, read something nourishing, or simply sit in quiet.
- Look for simple ways to bless others. A Sabbath day can include acts of kindness that bring joy without stress.
Start small and simple. Even if a full day feels difficult, begin with a dedicated half day and build from there. Consistency matters more than perfection. The goal is not legalism, but restoration.
Today I want to encourage you to receive the gift of rest that God designed for you from the very beginning, to honor the rhythm He established, and to trust that ceasing from your work is not weakness but wisdom. Mark 2:27 reminds you that the Sabbath was made for you. Rest is not a burden, it is a blessing that strengthens your body, renews your spirit, and keeps your heart tender before God.
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 2:23-27
23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain.
24 And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”
25 But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him:
26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?”
27 And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
Journal:
- What keeps you from setting aside a regular day of rest right now?
- How does your body and spirit feel when you go too long without intentional rest?
- What would it look like for you to treat a Sabbath day as a gift rather than an obligation?
- What practical step can you take this week to begin establishing a regular day of rest?
The Daily Dose 