What is Sabbath? 

For many of us we tend not to think of the word Sabbath, if we do, we often associate it with today, Sunday.  A day of prayer and worship.

However, for many of us Sundays often turn into a day of work…not just us priests either.  There are house hold chores, fix up jobs, and grocery shopping, there are dance recitals and hockey games to attend and if you work on a Sunday, then Sabbath time is certainly not on the Sabbath.  So, for many of us we have to schedule in a Sabbath, to ensure that we do take our Sabbath time.

When I schedule a Sabbath time it is a time of rejuvenation and restoration.  I sleep in.  Take the dog for a stroll somewhere scenic, walk and pray.   I grab a book and lie in the hammock.  Do some baking or embroidery…activities that bring me joy.  Go for dinner, have a drink and read some more.  No Dishes, no responsibilities, no chores.  Time for recharging and rest.  In essence I take time to do nothing and revel in gratitude and the presence of God.

Nothing of any real practical or physical use, but at the end of such a day...I feel calm, thoroughly happy, and soul filled.  In those hours of doing nothing...I restore my soul.  I fill my day with beauty, spirituality, clean air, and good food.         It is truly a Sabbath day.

In our gospel today we find the irate leader of the synagogue trying to tell the crowd to leave and return for healing after the Sabbath; ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’

Now we often think of the leaders in the bible as the bad guys, but the leader of the Synagogue, is not exactly wrong. In his mind there is a time and a place, he doesn’t object to Jesus healing the sick…but does it have to be in the middle of the teaching ?

Or let’s say he knew about Jesus and had heard of Jesus’ ministry and the many demands placed on Jesus.  Perhaps this synagogue leader was trying to allow Jesus his Sabbath time.  We know that Jesus’ public ministry was only about three years long...and by the end of his ministry we find him so tired and exhausted he is weeping blood in the garden of gethsemane... so truly human that even the son of God can get burnt out.

So, perhaps our synagogue leader was trying to remind his flock that the Sabbath is a day of rest...a day devoted to the Lord...a day in remembrance of God’s own rest on the seventh day of creation...in remembrance of God telling the Israelites not to gather manna on the seventh day...a day of spiritual growth and devotion.  And perhaps the synagogue leader was trying to remind the people that Jesus needed his Sabbath time too.

The Jewish people were a people of covenant, of the promise, and that included a promise of sabbath time.  From the we Christians have learnt that it is good to take a day...a full day...each week and spend it in soul building ways, time spent with God.  So that we can be refreshed in body and renewed in soul and spirit.  This is a simple statement, but one that certainly takes discipline, devotion and sometimes planning.

In our crazy schedules and with all our meetings and events ...Sunday itself may not always be a practical day for Sabbath time...and that’s ok...what is important is taking that Sabbath time.

Time where you do your utmost to limit your responsibilities, put down your phone and fill your time with those things that bring you closer to God and those things which fill your life with beauty and wholeness....Buy yourself some flowers....go fishing...have a nap ...call a friend …read a book ...do whatever it is that makes you feel at peace with the world...and give thanks to God for the ability and opportunity to do so.

What becomes a challenge is making Sabbath time a priority...with work, house work, children, volunteering, church, fixing and repairing and all the other duties in your life...where do you find the time to do ... well…. nothing?

Earlier I mentioned about Jesus getting close to burn out during his ministry...I don’t recall any mention of him having a full Sabbath day...in fact what we mostly hear are mentions of Jesus breaking Sabbath in various ways. However, Jesus did grab Sabbath time whenever he could.  We often read of Jesus going apart to pray...telling his disciples to go ahead and meet him at such and such a place, so that Jesus could take some time alone for spiritual renewal...a rest from responsibilities... time perhaps to smell the citrus and pepper trees.

Jesus went out of his way to find the time he needed to be close to God...to pray...to attend synagogue...to go to dinner parties and weddings...to relax and unwind.  To have Sabbath time...renewal so that he could be ready for the next day and all it would bring.

Jesus knew the importance of Sabbath time, and the importance of ensuring that every person and even animal has that day of rest, so that they are better able to live into the life God gives them.

When the leaders object to the work of healing on the Sabbath day Jesus counters the leaders of the synagogue saying “you hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox and lit it to water…should not this woman be untied as well.”  The ailment that the bent woman suffered from had restricted her in so many ways, that when she was set free she praised God and she began to experience Sabbath, A time of being rebuilt rather than being broken down.

Jesus broke the law of the Sabbath to enable more her to experience the spirit of the Sabbath, to grow closer to God and be at peace with herself and God.

So, the question becomes what brings you closer to God and at peace?

When is your Sabbath time?  Do you have Sabbath on Sunday or is your Sabbath time on a Wednesday afternoon?  Perhaps you’ve only ever thought of Sabbath as going to church on Sunday...as an obligation that you fulfill.

However...Sabbath is not simply another rule, rather it is a gift...an opportunity to take time for you and your relationships with God and family.

Take a second and imagine what your perfect Sabbath might be...you’ve heard about one of mine...what would be one of yours?

-silence-

Now most importantly...how can you make that imagining...reality?   Perhaps you do have responsibilities that mean you are unable to get a full day to unwind.  Perhaps for some of us...we’ll need to start with Sabbath hours...or a Sabbath evening.  We all need to make Sabbath a priority for it to happen...because there will always be something seemingly more important to do...and often taking Sabbath time seems like you’re doing nothing.

Maybe you’ll need to do some teaching of your own around the house... for family to realize the importance of taking this time of soul building...perhaps you can take time together...go for a walk ...or find a spot in the house where Sabbath is observed.   A Shabbat corner...for quiet and prayer.  A little chapel in a corner of your busy home.

All of us are faced with pressures, distractions, stress and overwork...it’s enough to drive anyone over the deep end...and we each know what happens when that last straw breaks.  Taking time ...observing Sabbath...is an opportunity to get a better relationship with the one who strengthens you and calms you...it is a time to fill an hour or two with peace and beauty instead of chaos.  It is a time to grow spiritually so that you can serve lovingly.

Sabbath time is a time that can heal us...just as surely as Jesus healed the bent over woman, but it is a slower process and one that needs our commitment.  Perhaps the leader of the synagogue we heard of today... had the right idea...there are 6 days on which to work...we need to find that 7th day...that time ......to take time on your Sabbath to rest.   Amen.