Our scripture this morning is Exodus 20:8-11.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Jesus was asked what is the most important commandment and He replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). When we remember the Sabbath as today’s passage from the Ten Commandments instructs, we show our love and respect for God.
God gave us a day of rest using His creation cycle as our example. He certainly didn’t need to rest from exertion, but He set the example for our lives: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.” It is not just so we can rest, but that we may rest in Him, remembering how we were created.
God’s love is built in to us, and everything we see is a gift of love from Him. We return that love through our worship and by executing the responsibility He has given us for His creation, which includes one another. We show our love for God best when we share His love with our brothers and sisters.
Heavenly Father, You have given us everything in love. Help us to be good stewards of all Your gifts, bringing the Good News of salvation to the world. Amen.
