The Value of Sabbath

Choosing Rest in a Culture of Hustle

In her book Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, Ruth Haley Barton writes that practicing Sabbath is a way to resist “a culture that brainwashes us into thinking that good things come only through unceasing determination, tireless human effort and always being plugged in.”

We live in a world that celebrates hustle, productivity, and striving—a world that tells us our success depends solely on us. But as believers, we serve a God who invites us into eternal rest in Christ and asks us to pause from our striving one day each week. Sabbath is not just about stopping work; it’s about remembering that God is our ultimate provider and the only one in whom we can truly rest.

Let’s explore why Sabbath still matters today, what Scripture teaches us, and how we can cultivate rhythms of real rest in our lives.

Sabbath in Scripture

The Ten Commandments show us just how central Sabbath was to God’s design for His people:

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… For the Lord made the heavens and the earth… in six days; then he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy.” — Exodus 20:8–11

Here, Sabbath is rooted in creation itself. God doesn’t rest because He’s tired—He never slumbers (Ps. 121:4). Instead, He rests to establish a pattern for His people. We were not created simply to produce or achieve; we were created to know God. Practicing Sabbath reminds us that our worth is not defined by productivity but by belonging to Him.

Later, Moses added another layer:

“Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out of there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” — Deuteronomy 5:15

Here, Sabbath is a reminder of identity. God’s people are no longer slaves defined by endless toil; they are the redeemed, called to rest in His deliverance. Sabbath becomes an act of remembering whose we are and what He has done for us.

Finally, in Matthew 12:1–8, Jesus redefines Sabbath in Himself:

“For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

The religious leaders of His day turned Sabbath into a crushing set of rules, but Jesus points His disciples to the deeper truth: He is our Sabbath rest. True rest isn’t found in naps, rules, or checklists—it is found in Christ alone.

Why Sabbath Still Matters

As Christians, we may wonder: is Sabbath still meaningful, possible, and necessary today? The answer is a resounding yes. Here’s why.

1. Sabbath is an act of obedience.

God set the pattern in creation: six days of work, one day of rest. To honor Sabbath is to agree with God’s design for our lives, acknowledging that we are finite and dependent on Him.

2. Sabbath is an act of trust.

Resting reminds us that we are not in control—God is. Sabbath teaches us to release our grip on self-sufficiency and trust His provision.

3. Sabbath is an act of resistance.

In a world that glorifies busyness and productivity, Sabbath is countercultural. It’s saying no to the tyranny of schedules, screens, and endless striving, and yes to God’s invitation to peace and presence.

Sabbath as an Invitation

At its heart, Sabbath isn’t about rules; it’s about relationship. It’s about resting in the finished work of Christ and remembering that He alone is our peace.

As Romans 5:1 reminds us:

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Sabbath is God’s weekly invitation to live in that peace. Will you accept it?

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Let’s Talk

How do you practice Sabbath in your own life? What challenges you most about resting in God’s presence? Share your thoughts in the comments.