A woodcut illustration in a German book from 1512 depicts a woman tossing out a baby along with wastewater from a bucket. This is the first known use of the idiom, “Throwing the baby out with the bathwater.” Some say this phrase came from the idea of a family sharing bathwater (from oldest to youngest) until, finally, the last one—the baby—could barely be seen in the dirty water. Whether this story is true or not, we can be grateful for the invention of modern plumbing!
Unfortunately, “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” is something like what I did when it came to honoring the idea of Sabbath-like rest in my life. During college, I remember reading Isaiah 1 and being shocked at the way God describes the Sabbath and other religious observances, calling them meaningless, detestable, and even disgusting (Isaiah 1:13). I used this verse to come to the conclusion that the Sabbath had little value for me, and that it was theologically acceptable to neglect the rest and refreshment found through spending time with Him.
But if you read this chapter carefully, you see that God doesn’t despise the Sabbath in itself. The reason He wouldn’t hear Israel’s prayers was because the people were guilty of injustice (Isaiah 1:15). So it’s not the Sabbath that God hates, but the Sabbath without the pursuit of justice. Isaiah says that the Sabbath still holds great value, especially as one of the main ways in which people are identified as believers in God (Isaiah 58:13).
Though we no longer need to celebrate the Sabbath as a legal requirement (Colossians 2:16), the idea of Sabbath rest still holds tremendous value for us. In a culture where we’re constantly busy and stressed, it’s nothing less than a gift from God. May we take time to rest today in the Lord of the Sabbath—Jesus Himself (Matthew 12:8).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 1:35-51
More:
Read Mark 2:23-28 to see how Jesus viewed the Sabbath—as a blessing to help us, not a curse to burden us.
Next:
How do you experience rest and restoration in Jesus on a regular basis? Why is it vital to take time to pull away from the busyness of life?
Gary Shultz on June 17, 2017 at 5:16 am
Hi Peter: The passage today was a good reminder and an avenue to thanksgiving because of learning God’s real desire for us. It is of value that this subject has been in several of ODJ’s subject matter lately. How our lives soften to God’s real agenda for us. I am thankful for the fourth commandment, and to practice and learn its deeper meaning is of great value. Not as a check on our religious things to observe, but a willing rest, to unite with the church body and rest the physical mind and body. I admit, I it would be very awkward to be confined to certain regulations and prescribed legal rules to come before God. Not that we don’t have some protocol, but we enjoy God through a finished work of all of the law. Jesus has met the requirements and we are allowed to enjoy God more fully then any other age in history. We also have a responsibility to do just that, as a representative and child of His. A relationship forged of love not law. Thanks Peter
don777 on June 17, 2017 at 9:18 am
Amen Gary, This is all about a relationship with Christ, (the New Covenant, Lead by the Holy Spirit not the law) The Holy Spirit is changing us from the inside out. I don’t want to do the things I used to do (sin). Sin separates us from God. So if we choose to do premeditated sin , we cut off our relationship with God & then we are just religious & live by the law. God is not going to bless a person that keeps on whipping Him & spiting on Him etc. I think that is what is going on with our nation. We have no more relationship with God even if we go to church. +>i
aracelia baron on June 17, 2017 at 12:22 pm
I experience this by daily, trying with the Holy Spirits help of course, to live in the Spirit and not the flesh. The only way I believe we can accomplish this is by giving the Lord His proper place in our lives making HIM our priority, involving HIM in everything on a daily basis.
don777 on June 17, 2017 at 3:09 pm
Amen