Today the Orthodox observe the Sabbath day in many ways. One way is not to push the button in an elevator on Saturday. They have to wait for a Gentile to get in the elevator and push the button. Another way is to refrain from throwing a light switch.

Now compare such actions with the passage above.

If you keep from doing as you please.

If you call the Sabbath a delight, holy, honorable.

If you honor the Sabbath by not going your own way.

If you honor the Sabbath by not speaking idle words.

Can you see that much more is involved here than pushing the button in an elevator or throwing a light switch?

This is the way we are to live at all times, not just one day of seven. This is the way the Lord Jesus always lives.

He does that which pleases the Father.

He finds His relationship with His Father delightful, holy, honorable.

Jesus does not go His own way.

Jesus does not speak idle words, only that which the Father gives Him to say.

This is the eternal Sabbath. This is the rest of God.

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these." (John 5:19,20—NIV)

How would you like to live like this? I sure would. This is the eternal Sabbath, the rest of God.

By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. (John 5:30—NIV)

How many times do we judge people and situations incorrectly? The Lord Jesus always judges righteously because He seeks to please God rather than Himself.

But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. (John 8:16—NIV)

I like this verse in particular because it reveals that we do not ever have to be alone. If we go where God sends us then He always is with us and we make correct, fruitful decisions.

I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world. (John 8:26—NIV)

The Lord Jesus did not come into the world and then decide what to say. The Lord kept in prayer constantly so He would declare only that which He was hearing from the Father.

How totally different Church history would have been had the various organizations and leaders said to the world only that which they were hearing from God. Hearing from God is an important part of the rest of God concerning which the Book of Hebrews is exhorting us.

So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me." (John 8:28—NIV)

This is the eternal Sabbath rest.

To be continued.