I love a beautiful sunset. From where I sit in my living room, I can usually tell if a colorful sunset is glowing along the ridgeline, even if I can't fully see it from there. I often get up to go out my front door and get a clear view of the yellow and orange hues, or pink and purple; whatever colors God has on His palette that night.
No one forces me to take a look, and how long I gaze at the nightly show varies. Sometimes I just take a quick peek, especially if it's cold outside. But in the summer or when the colors are particularly vibrant, I might stand there for twenty minutes, even getting my camera out to capture the breathtaking scene.
Whether you like to watch sunsets or are drawn to other wonders of nature, can you imagine if you were obligated to get out and take a look rather than making that choice? If there was a law that said, 'You must always watch the sunset on Tuesday evenings for ten minutes, no more and no less.' Or 'You must walk to the nearest park twice a week and sit on a bench to observe the trees, listen to the birds, and feel the sun on your face.'
Enjoying nature is not meant to be an obligation. It's a choice, and that's part of the joy. Mandating it would be ridiculous and take away from the awesome wonder and personal preference of what moves you. Some people like the beach, others the mountains. Some would hike all day or fly in an airplane to see beautiful sights, while others are content and delighted to watch the birds that come and go in their backyard.
God, in His infinite wisdom, knew that the people He created would all be different, with varied interests and fascinations--as vast as the earth and even the heavens. He made it all beautiful and amazing and eye-catching and soul-touching; but beauty has a thousand shades and facets; It's not one-view-fits-all.
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| Modern Day Galilee |
In the First Century A.D. when Jesus arrived on the scene in Israel, the landscape was varied with hills and valleys, seas and rivers, farmland and wilderness, just as it had been from the time of Abraham and King David and still is today. But the places of worship, the synagogues where faithful Jews met each week were pretty much all the same, as far as I can tell.
The people gathered on the Sabbath. Songs were sung. Prayers were uttered. Scripture was read. Rabbis taught.
God's People were not allowed to do any work on the Sabbath, according to the Torah, and I can imagine these gatherings being rather boring as a result. No one could set up tables and serve donuts and coffee beforehand; Carrying in a sleeping mat to get comfortable? No. Women bringing their knitting along to make a shawl while the teacher droned on? Absolutely not.
So when Jesus showed up one day and healed a man with a withered hand, gasps of shock and dismay rang out. 'He can't do that! Who is He? Why is He performing a miracle on the Sabbath? That can't happen!'
Some people are so stuck in their religion, they forget what it's supposed to be about.
Meeting together was not meant to be joyless and dull. It wasn't supposed to be a lot of work either, but meaningless ritual was just that: meaningless (Isaiah 1:13); The purpose of the Sabbath was to have a day of rest where no backbreaking labor was performed by anyone, not even servants, but that didn't mean no one was supposed to rescue an animal from a ditch (Matt.12:11-12), pluck a few grains of wheat when they were hungry (Matt.12:1-8), or help each other when someone was in need (Isaiah 58; Matt. 12:12-13; John 5:1-11; 1 Cor. 11:20-22; 12:4-7).
Jesus said, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27) The Sabbath was supposed to provide rest and renewal: time with family instead of working, gathering with friends and community, serving one another with joy, resting from an aching back or sore feet to bring healing to the body--and a weary soul.
No matter what church you attend or how you choose to worship, it should be refreshing, uplifting, and encouraging. It should never feel burdensome, demanding, or something to just get through before you go on with your day. It should not make you feel guilty, obligated, exhausted, anxious, or depressed.
You might be convicted by the Spirit to make changes in your life that are ultimately weighing you down and keeping you from the abundant life Jesus came to bring; but you should also feel hopeful, empowered, and encouraged that you can make those changes with God's help and you will be better off for doing so.
Just like a beautiful sunset that you get out of your chair to see, or a cascading waterfall you are willing to hike to, or distant lands you take a plane to visit--so your spiritual journey should be: an eager choice to discover and enjoy God's beauty. He is love, peace, joy, hope!
Jesus said His burden is light and that rest for the soul is the goal.
Is that the God you seek and worship and serve? Or are you chained and bound by religious duty and obligation? Are you refreshed and encouraged on your Sabbath day, or just bored, or exhausted? Do you feel loved and valued? Are you familiar with how God actually sees you? Is He your loving King, Father, Savior, and Shepherd?
Is He your place of rest, peace, and healing? Is He your Sabbath?
"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
(Zeph. 3:17)
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them close to his heart and gently lead them.
(Isaiah 40:11)
"Come to Me all who are weary and burdened, 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."
(Matt. 11:28-29)
Scripture taken from (NIV-84)
Israel photo courtesy of freeimages.com
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