James Trunzo, a Manhattan architect who designs automated environments, comments, “Technology is increasing the heartbeat. We are inundated with information. The mind can’t handle it all. The pace is so fast now, I sometimes feel like a gunfighter dodging bullets.”
We try to shove everything into as little time as possible. We become obsessed with efficiency so multitasking allows us to crowd many activities into a day. The busier someone becomes, the more successful we think him or her to be.
Sleep deprivation and stress of busyness cause increased irritability that hurt relationships. Marriages break up when a spouse makes family second to work and personal accomplishments.
Our busyness also affects us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It weakens physical health and also robs the soul of peace. God made the Sabbath for man so he could rest and be refreshed from the frantic pace of the world.
Greater Purpose of Sabbath Rest
The Pharisees questioned why Jesus and His disciples picked and ate grain in violation on the Sabbath. He answered that when David and his companions were hungry, they ate consecrated bread reserved for priests alone. Jesus said, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (Lk. 6:1-5). God designed the Sabbath for physical and spiritual refreshment.
When Jesus healed a man by restoring his withered hand, He said to the Pharisees, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm, to save a life, or to destroy it?” (Lk. 6:6-11). God designed the Sabbath for people to minister and help others.
Jesus spent a whole night on the mountain praying to God. He called His disciples and chose twelve to be His apostles. A great multitude of His disciples and people came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases. Many people harassed with unclean spirits and others trying to touch Him were restored physically and spiritually (Lk. 6:12-19). God desires the body of Christ to spend much time in prayer so people, including leaders (apostles), are released into effective healing ministries.
Attitudes That Minister Healing to Others
Jesus said, “Bless are you who are poor, for yours is kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate, ostracize, cast insults and spurn your name as evil for sake of the Son of Man.” Be glad since your reward is great in heaven. Sacrificial Christians who embrace their helplessness, endure lack of earthly resources and tolerate insults because of their faith enter into the kingdom of God with reward in heaven.
“Woe to you who are rich for you are receiving your comfort in full. Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for in the same way their fathers used to treat the false prophets” (Lk. 6:20-26). Selfish Christians who choose comfort in this life will weep when they suffer loss of reward in heaven.
Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you without expecting anything in return. Bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Remember that your reward in heaven will be great and you will be sons of the Most High who is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful as your Father is merciful. Don’t judge or condemn, but pardon. Give and it will be given to you. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you return (Lk. 6:27-38). God rewards him or her who shows mercy and prays for those who mistreat them.
A blind man can’t guide a blind man. Every disciple who is fully trained will be like his teacher. Take the log out of your own eye so you can see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Good trees produce good fruit and bad trees produce bad fruit. A man speaks from that which fills his heart (Lk. 6:39-45). Good speech flows from a heart that has been reconciled to God.
Everyone who comes to God, hears His words and acts upon them is like a man who builds his house upon the rock. It’s able to withstand floods. The one who didn’t act upon God’s word is like a man whose house collapsed and suffered ruin without a foundation (Lk. 6:46-49). Those who obey God’s word stay grounded in the midst of floods.
Set a time this week for Sabbath rest where you can unwind from the busyness of life. Get out of the house, take a walk, or spend time in a park away from cell phones, computers and technology so you can hear God speak to you. Make it a weekly habit. It will become the highlight of your week.
