Words to ponder … A time for God’s People … Morrow Mirror, September 28, 2013
15 …the report about [Jesus] went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16But he [withdrew] to desolate places and prayed (Luke 5:15-16).
The first century grapevine did not move as fast as it does today in our modern multimedia world, but news of the miracle worker still moved quickly from community to community throughout all of Judea. When the people heard that the lame walked and the blind gained their sight families traveled from far and wide in hopes of miracle. We do the same today. We fly across the country carrying our loved one to hospitals in other states or countries if there is the slightest of hope of a cure.
Luke reminds us that Jesus worked hard. The work at times had to be overwhelming. Jesus was a man and he needed all the things we need to stay healthy: exercise, food, shelter, and rest. I am reminded of Jesus’ words after the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years touched His clothes and was healed. “Jesus felt the power go out from him and he asked the crowd who had touched him (Mark 5:25-30).” Jesus’ work weighed heavy upon Him. It never seemed to let up.
The multitude came from far and wide, some out of curiosity and others in hopes of a miracle. The people did not stop coming and after awhile Jesus would leave the crowd. He did not wait until everyone who came for healing was healed.[1] When he needed rest, time to pray, Jesus withdrew.
When computers made their way into our work places it was believed they would give us more time for leisure activities. Many wondered what they would do with all this spare time. Yet in our modern technological world we are often bombarded with information. Emails, text, twitter, television, telephone calls and other means of communication come at us from every direction telling us what we need to do and how to live our lives. Work never seems to be complete. There is always more to do and Sabbath, rest, is considered a rare luxury and often ignored.
In the Jewish tradition Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday. It does not matter that work is left undone. The to-do list can wait. It is time for Sabbath and the work will be there later. Families stop what they are doing and they come together to be with each other, to play, to laugh, to dance, to praise and thank God for life.
“So Sabbath is more then the absence of work; it is not just a day off, when we catch up on television or errands. It is the presence of something that arises when we consecrate a period of time to listen to what is most deeply beautiful, nourishing, or true. It is time consecrated with our attention, our mindfulness, honoring those quiet forces of grace or spirit that sustain and heal us.”[2]
In the Christian tradition, Sabbath begins at sunrise on Sunday, a day to remember the resurrection of our Lord: a day to come together as the family of God to play, to laugh, to dance, to rest, and a time to praise and thank God for life … A Time For God's People …
Words to ponder...In Christian Love, your pastor and friend in Christ Dr. Ed Judy
[1]Wayne Muller, Sabbath, Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in our Busy Lives, (New York: Bantam
Books, 1999) 25.
[2] Ibid. 8
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