There are people who say they are going to take «a sabbatical year.» Do you know what that expression means? It means that they are going to take a year off from their work or studies.
The word «Sabbath» comes from the word of Hebrew origin shabbat, which means «rest.»
Who came up with the idea of a day of rest? God established it during Creation itself. He blessed it «and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation» (Genesis 2:3). That means that the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship is the oldest religious institution.
In addition, God placed the Sabbath at the heart of the Ten Commandments —right in the middle—so that we would remember our Creator and dedicate a day to rest each week. You can read that commandment in the Bible, in Exodus 20:8-11.
White living on earth, Jesus also rested on the Sabbath to give us an example and remind us that He is the Creator, the Savior, and the Lord of the Sabbath.
When Jesus died on the cross, He also rested on Sabbath, in the grave.
When does the Sabbath start? The Bible says that the Sabbath begins on Friday at sunset and ends on Saturday at sunset, so remember to finish all your chores before sunset on Friday! That way you can rest and remember what Jesus did at Creation.
Jesus wants you to have one day a week to rest from the things you normally have to do and enjoy His company through nature, through the Bible, or by attending church. Write a list in your Prayer Journal of what you are going to do next Sabbath.