The covenant between God and the Israelites reveals both His holiness and His deep desire to dwell with His people. As His commands are received and the people are cleansed through sacrifice, we see the beginning of a restored relationship. It ultimately points to Jesus, whose sacrifice removes our sin and makes us fully acceptable to God forever.

Sabbath rest is far greater than a day off from our busyness. It is a deep, internal rest found in Jesus that transforms our hearts, redirects our identity away from work and striving, and invites us to experience the ongoing rest He offers every day.

Sabbath rest carries four key truths: God’s warnings against a hardened heart and drifting into unbelief, the consequences of rebellion against His rest, the open invitation to enter it today, and, to respond with persevering faith. When we take this step of obedience to rest, God will rejuvenate and refresh our health and spirit.

Saving faith in Jesus’ resurrection is belief treasured in our hearts, openly confessed, and transformative in our lives. We are freed from sin, shame, and condemnation as we are justified and clothed in His righteousness. All who believe and declare Jesus as Lord receive mercy, grace, and salvation.

Even amongst the rejection Jesus experienced as he hung on the cross he was exalted in all that he did and experienced.

In Matthew 12, Jesus challenges the Pharisees’ rule-centered view of the Sabbath, pointing beyond outward behavior to the condition of the human heart. As Lord of the Sabbath, He shows that love, mercy, compassion, healing and doing good always take priority and supersede a rigid list of dos and do nots.

Breaking God’s law—including the Sabbath—reveals how deeply our sin dishonors God’s glory and brings the curse of death. But Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law, transforming the Sabbath into a gift of grace upon grace—a time to rest in Him, be refreshed by His presence, and reflect His glory to the world.

Even after God rescued the Israelites from slavery, they grumbled and forgot His goodness. Yet God responded with grace, providing food and Sabbath rest. We also grumble, grow anxious, and forget God’s goodness. The sabbath was a shadow pointing to Jesus! He invites all who are weary in body and soul to be joined to Him and find true rest.

Examining the commandment to keep the Sabbath reveals that it is a way by which we can image God not only on Sunday but with each act we finish. Jesus fulfilled this commandment with his completion of our salvation on the cross.